Broadband
DEADLINE NOTICE:
August 14 - Recovery Act Broadband Grant Application Deadline Extended
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) calls for $7.2 billion in funding to be spent on the deployment of broadband and other related activities. These funds will create jobs, expand the availability of service, and produce a lasting infrastructure to be used for years to come. Broadband funding will be distributed by two federal agencies. Below is a breakdown of the funding, its sources and some additional information.
Click the chart below for more information
$4.7 billion through Department of Commerce/National Telecommunications and Information Administration
- In addition to funding for broadband infrastructure projects, the Act targets dollars to the following specific activities:
- $200 million for expanding public computer center capacity
- $250 million for sustainable adoption programs
- $350 million for a national broadband inventory map
- 20 percent matching requirement (can be waived)
- Private corporations and states are among those that can apply for funding
- NTIA's grants are intended to:
- target unserved and underserved areas
- stimulate demand for broadband, economic growth, and job creation
- facilitate greater broadband use by providing broadband education, training, and access to schools, libraries, healthcare providers, higher education institutions, and public safety agencies
$2.5 billion through United States Department of Agriculture/Rural Utilities Services
- Within 90 days from enactment of the Act, the Agriculture Secretary must report on planned spending and obligations
- Projects receiving funds shall serve an area that is at least 75 percent rural and without significant access to high speed broadband to facilitate economic development
- Priority given to projects that
- will deliver end users the choice of more than one service provider
- provide service to the greatest number of rural residents lacking broadband
- are submitted by former borrowers of the RUS program
- are achievable with the money awarded
The Governor's Office is working closely with its Office of Information Technology and the Governor's Innovation Council to determine the direction Colorado should take in applying for the available grants and has taken some important steps to reach this goal:
- Hosted two statewide broadband summits in 2007 and 2008 to discuss the importance of broadband in Colorado
- Is working toward developing a GIS-based map of broadband availability in Colorado
For additional information and guidance about the federal Broadband Technology Opportunities Program with the Department of Commerce, please visit the NTIA program page.
You can also find more information about the federal broadband programs on the Recovery.gov Program Section on the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and Federal Communications Commission pages. Additional information is also available here: www.broadbandusa.gov.