(Radio Iowa) – Dozens of applicants are seeking nearly 300 million dollars in state grants to extend and expand broadband service in Iowa, but only 100 million dollars will be awarded. The legislature set aside 100 million dollars for broadband projects. State officials say 178 broadband providers submited grant applications by the deadline on July 28th and the grant awards will be announced in September. Governor Reynolds says she intends to seek federal funds to supplement the 100 million dollars in state grant money that will be awarded.

Iowa ranks 45th in the country in broadband access according to BroadbandNow, a company that analyzes internet access and download speeds nationwide. The firm ranks download speeds in Iowa as second slowest in the country.

(Radio Iowa) – Parts of an historic building in the Iowa Great Lakes region sustained water and smoke damage in what is believed to be an electrical fire. About 20 retail shops and restaurants are located in the Central Emporium in Arnolds Park. The building sits along the shore of West Okoboji and was built in 1901. On Monday afternoon, fire crews responded to reports of smoke coming from a wall in the building.

Fire fighters spent about 90 minutes dousing the fire and evacuating smoke from the building. Smoke and water damage are reported in two upper level stores and one store downstairs.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s looking forward to digging into President Biden’s massive, near-trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Grassley, a Republican, says the Senate has voted to proceed with consideration of the bi-partisan bill. “I voted yes on the procedural vote but I’m still undecided on the final legislation,” Grassley says. “That has to do more with costs than with the expenditure part of the bill.”

Over five years, the measure calls for some 550-billion dollars in new spending beyond projected federal levels. Grassley says he wants to be sure it’s dealing with “traditional, physical infrastructure,” things like roads and bridges, and not new social programs. “The text of the legislation is more than 2,700 pages,” Grassley says, “so I and my staff are going through that now and we’re working with other offices as well to understand exactly everything that’s in it.”

Family farmers rely on the state’s highways and waterways to get their products to consumers, Grassley says, and maintaining those routes is paramount in the bill. Access to high-speed internet is another key element.  “At nearly all the 85 counties I’ve been in, I’ve had a Q-and-A this year,” Grassley says, “and Iowans bring up infrastructure, particularly broadband and there’s $65-billion in this bill for broadband.”

Grassley says he’ll make a final decision on whether he’ll back the measure after weighing the full bill as well as any amendments that are adopted.

The Board of Supervisors in Adair County will meet 9-a.m. Wednesday in the courthouse courtroom, in Greenfield. On the agenda, is discussion and possible action on a Fireworks Permit application, Homestead and Military Disallowances, and Compensation Board appointments. Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg will present a Backup Internet Connection Proposal to the Board, and discuss a laptop Grant Program through the Iowa Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).

County Treasurer Brenda Wallace will discuss a new hire Treasurer Clerk, and County Engineer Nick Kauffman will present two final vouchers for the Board to sign, for the: G-27 HMA Paving/Resurfacing Project, and, W-35 Jefferson Bridge Project. He’ll also update the Board on his department’s maintenance and other activities.

(Please note: The conference phone will still be available for those wish to, but cannot attend the meeting in-person. It can be accessed by calling (605)-313-6157, and when prompted, enter 526272#)