FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Paige Darden
(202) 482-7002
pdarden@ntia.doc.gov
March 30, 1998

COMMERCE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES MORE THAN 750 GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TIIAP)

WASHINGTON, DC ­ The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it received 757 applications for its Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP) for fiscal year 1998. Applications were received from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The applicants requested $323 million in federal funds to be matched by $502 million in non-Federal funds.

NTIA expects to fund an estimated 50 projects with approximately $17 million in funding for 1998. All proposals will be reviewed by panels of outside experts. NTIA intends to announce the recipients of the 1998 grant cycle in September.

"TIIAP funds projects that are innovative, yet practical -- projects that can serve as models. Essentially, with this program, we are setting up small laboratories all over the country, and we are learning how technology can help to overcome geographic and financial barriers, and enhance organizations' abilities to serve their communities," said Larry Irving, assistant secretary of Commerce and administrator of NTIA.

The TIIAP program has awarded 332 grants since its inception in 1994. These awards amount to over $100 million in Federal funds, which have been matched by $150 million in non-Federal funds.

TIIAP is administered by the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Funds are awarding in five application areas: education, culture, and lifelong learning; public services; health; public safety; and community networking. For more information about TIIAP, call (202) 482-2048, or e-mail to tiiap@ntia.doc.gov, or via the Internet at http://www.ntia.doc.gov.

###