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Indiana halts Digital Opportunity Grants after Trump administration orders suspension

By Brandon Smith
Published May 12, 2025 at 6:42 PM EDT
Each report uses the previous month’s preliminary employment data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, such as the unemployment and labor force participation rates. And even though much of the data in the reports are estimates, they’re often the best available numbers.
Each report uses the previous month’s preliminary employment data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, such as the unemployment and labor force participation rates. And even though much of the data in the reports are estimates, they’re often the best available numbers.

Indiana is halting its  Digital Opportunity Grant program after it said the Trump administration told it to suspend the grant.

Indiana received $15 million last year to implement its plan for digital equity.

The kinds of projects the federal grant program was designed to support included online accessibility and affordable broadband access; online access to health and mental wellness services; digital literacy and skills training; and device distribution to underserved communities.

Indiana opened applications for the grant program less than two weeks ago. Local governments, schools, workforce development organizations and nonprofits were all invited to apply.

Join the conversation and sign up for  the Indiana Two-Way . Text "Indiana" to 765-275-1120. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on statewide issues.

But now, the state is suspending that application period “until further notice.” The Indiana Broadband Office said it has no further information after the federal government told it to halt the program.

This comes as the Trump administration has tried to freeze billions in federal funding since the president took office in January.

Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him at  bsmith@ipbs.org  or follow him on Twitter at  @brandonjsmith5 .
Brandon Smith
Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.
See stories by Brandon Smith