The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law on February 17, 2009. The Broadband Initiatives funded in the Act are intended to accelerate broadband deployment in unserved, underserved, and rural areas and to strategic institutions that are likely to create jobs or provide significant public benefits.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Rural Development, and the FCC hosted a Kick Off Meeting on March 10, 2009, in Washington, DC to discuss the broadband initiatives funded by the Act, including the new Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, the new Rural Development Broadband Program, and the development of a National Broadband Plan.

NTIA and USDA Rural Utility Services (RUS) held a series of follow-on public meetings that gave the public an opportunity to discuss how NTIA and the RUS should design and implement the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the RUS grants and loans program established in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. All of these efforts should help inform the cross-agency work on the national broadband plan that is being initiated by the FCC.

4/8/09
FCC Launches Development of National Broadband Plan.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Notice of Inquiry: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat

3/31/09
Comment Sought on International Comparison and Consumer Survey Requirements in the Broadband Data Improvement Act.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

3/24/09
Bureaus Establish Procedures Regarding the Commission’s Consultative Role in the Broadband Provisions of the Recovery Act.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

3/10/09
Vilsack, Copps and Wade Kick Off American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's Broadband Initiative.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat

3/10/09
Bureaus Establish Comment Date for Report on Rural Broadband Strategy.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

3/6/09
FCC, NTIA and RUS to Hold Joint Meeting March 10, 2009 on Broadband Initiatives Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Updated Meeting Agenda: Acrobat
Federal Register Notice: Acrobat
Logistics for Attending Meeting On Site or Remotely: Acrobat