Broadband

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of 22 projects in 10 states to receive $13.4 million in broadband community connect grant funds.

"The Obama Administration recognizes that modern technology is critical to the expansion of business, education, and health care services in rural areas and the competitiveness of the nation's small towns and rural communities," Vilsack said. "The President and USDA are committed to bringing broadband services to communities, including isolated ones, so rural residents have access to quality economic, social and educational opportunities."    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- OLYMPIA, WA – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced that Washington state will receive a grant of approximately $2.2 million to fund broadband mapping and planning activities under the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program.

The program enables collection of data to show which areas of each state are in the most need of increased broadband infrastructure and adoption. The data collected will be used to create an interactive and searchable map for use by the public with information such as where broadband service is available and at what speeds, and the type of technology used.    » read more »

Agencies Plan to Consolidate Final Two Funding Rounds, Seek Comment on Program Enhancements

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2009 - The USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced they are streamlining the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's broadband grant and loan programs by awarding the remaining funding in just one more round, instead of two rounds, to increase efficiency and better accommodate applicants.    » read more »

BOSTON – November 06, 2009 – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced that Massachusetts has won approximately $2 million in federal stimulus funding to aid in the development of affordable, reliable broadband Internet services for all communities in the Commonwealth. On Wednesday, the Governor met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke in Washington, D.C. to push for the state’s broadband priorities, noting that expanding access to high-speed Internet will create jobs, support business expansion and help students and businesses compete in a 21st global economy.    » read more »

October 26, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02), and Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that Arkansas will receive $2,081,238 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications & Information Administration to increase broadband access and adoption through better data collection and broadband planning. The funds are allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Broadband Data Improvement Act.    » read more »

Comments submitted today supporting Recovery Act grant applications

October 14, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced an important step to implement her strategic initiative to expand access to broadband services to citizens and businesses throughout Michigan. On Wednesday, the state submitted comments to the federal government on grant applications proposing to implement or enhance broadband service to Michigan communities.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today submitted final comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration concerning proposals for broadband expansion in Maine.

The comments are the final step in a State process to recommend projects for funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will review the recommendations over the coming months and make the decision on funding through the Recovery Act.

In total, the Governor supported $42.7 million in proposed projects recommended by the Broadband Strategy Council and the ConnectME Authority.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Speaker Pelosi applauded today’s announcement that California is among the first four states to receive state broadband mapping grants made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was designed to be both stimulative and transformational to our economy. Central to our efforts to ensure prosperity for all Americans is deploying broadband coast to coast.    » read more »

National Telecommunications And Information Administration Awards $1.2 M. To Vermont

WASHINGTON (Tuesday, Oct. 6) - U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Congressman Peter Welch and Governor Jim Douglas Tuesday welcomed the announcement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, that Vermont has been awarded Vermont a $1.2 million broadband mapping grant. Vermont's grant is one of the first four American Recovery and Reinvestment Act broadband grants to reach the states for broadband mapping, aggregation and infrastructure.    » read more »

National Telecommunications And Information Administration Awards $1.2 M. To Vermont

WASHINGTON (Tuesday, Oct. 6) – U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Congressman Peter Welch and Governor Jim Douglas Tuesday welcomed the announcement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, that Vermont has been awarded Vermont a $1.2 million broadband mapping grant. Vermont’s grant is one of the first four American Recovery and Reinvestment Act broadband grants to reach the states for broadband mapping, aggregation and infrastructure.    » read more »

Recovery Act Funding to Provide Policymakers and Consumers with Improved Data on Internet Service in California, Indiana, North Carolina, and Vermont

October 5, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced that it has awarded the first four grants under NTIA’s State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program to fund activities in California, Indiana, North Carolina, and Vermont.    » read more »

October 5, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) today announced that the e-NC Authority will receive $2,023,874 to determine the best and most effective methods for expanding broadband to underserved areas of North Carolina.

"This investment in North Carolina will help boost economic development in our rural communities and keep them vibrant," said Hagan. "Increasing broadband access means connecting our communities to the world and adding more jobs in our state in this tough economy."    » read more »

Nearly 2,200 Diverse Applications Submitted for Share of $4 Billion in Funding to Expand Broadband Access and Adoption

WASHINGTON, August 27, 2009 - The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced today that they received almost 2,200 applications requesting nearly $28 billion in funding for proposed broadband projects reaching all 50 U.S. states and territories and the District of Columbia.    » read more »

Nixon issues request for partners in competition to win Recovery Act funding for expanding access to high-speed internet; deadline for notice of interest is July 13

July 7, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Citing the pressing need for Missouri citizens and businesses to access information and compete in markets around the globe, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today announced the state's efforts to recruit businesses and organizations as cooperative partners in a competition for funding that would begin to deliver broadband internet access throughout Missouri.    » read more »

Announces availability of $4 billion in Recovery Act loans and grants to increase broadband access and adoption

WATTSBURG, Pa., July 1, 2009 – Vice President Biden today announced the availability of $4 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act loans and grants to help bring broadband service to un-served and underserved communities across America. This is the first round of Recovery Act funding aimed at expanding broadband access to help bridge the technological divide and create jobs building out Internet infrastructure.    » read more »