Brown County is pushing for greater access to broadband for members of our community through a coalition of Brown County Schools, Nashville Town Government, Brown County Government, and community members.

Indiana is now helping families get connected to broadband based on eligibility, including those that qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch. Families can apply for internet service at $30/month. Even if there is currently no internet available in your area, you can sign up to help providers receive grants to provide access to you. 

» For households with no Internet access availability or connection speeds under 25/3 Mbps, Indiana has the Indiana Connectivity Program.     

Families need to register to demonstrate their need so that providers can be given grants to provide access to them. Families register by choosing one of the following:

  1. Visit https://indianaegms.force.com/nlc/s/login/SelfRegister?locale=us
  2. Call 833-639-8522
  3. or mail to the following address:

    Attn: Indiana Broadband Connect Center
    The Office of Community and Rural Affairs
    1 N. Capitol Ave.
    Suite 600
    Indianapolis, IN 46204

» For households with Internet access availability over 25/3 Mbps that a family can not afford and they qualify for the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ($30/Mo. discount + $100 towards device). The household qualifies for the Affordable Connectivity Program if it has an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines OR any member of the household:

● Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;

● Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;

● Received a federal Pell Grant in the current award year;

● Received approval for benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year; or

● Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income program.) 

The household should apply by either: 

    1. Contact their preferred internet service provider directly to learn more about the application process.
    2. Visit https://www.ACPBenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
    3. Complete the application and Household Worksheet and mailing them, along with copies of proof documentation, to:ACP Support Center
      PO Box 7081
      London, KY 40742

For students without a connection to the Internet and no Internet or Cellular connection available, Datacasting may be an option. PBS stations across the state are sending data out through their broadcasts that may be received by equipment in a student’s home. This service currently connects to LMS systems such as Canvas and Google Classroom to automatically send assignments to the student home.  

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