FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
202-482-4883
Secretary Locke Joins Representatives Inslee and Baird in Announcing a $54.5 Million Recovery Act Investment to Expand Broadband Internet Access and Expand Economic Growth in Washington State
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today joined U.S. Reps. Jay Inslee and Brian
Baird at the Seattle Central Library to announce a $54.5 million American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act investment to help bridge the technological
divide, boost economic growth, create jobs, and improve education and healthcare
in difficult terrain both east and west of the Cascades mountain range in
Washington state.
The grant to the Northwest Open Access Network
(NoaNet) State of Washington Broadband
Consortium will bring high-speed Internet access across 25 of
Washington’s
39 counties and connect the region to the rest of the state’s digital economy.
Earlier today, Vice President Joe Biden announced approximately $1.8 billion in
new projects that will create jobs and expand economic opportunities within 37
states across America.
“This critical investment will lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth by connecting difficult terrain both east and west of the Cascades that has been without the full economic, educational and social benefits of high-speed Internet,” Locke said. “This $54.5 million grant to NoaNet will pay dividends for decades by expanding high-speed Internet access to schools, libraries, healthcare providers and public safety facilities.”
NoaNet’s State of
Washington Broadband Consortium project aims to
deliver enhanced, affordable broadband capabilities to community anchor
institutions and local Internet service providers across 25 of Washington’s 39 counties
by augmenting NoaNet’s existing fiber-optic network. The project intends to
support advanced telemedicine services, connect dozens of libraries, boost
bandwidth available at regional schools that currently suffer from network
problems when too many users try to access the Internet at once, and enable
public safety entities to access JusticeNet, Washington state’s integrated network that
supports state judicial system institutions. This project would complement
NoaNet’s earlier BTOP award that is funding the construction of 831 miles of
fiber-optics in southeastern and southwestern Washington. The project plans to enhance
connectivity to six Indian tribes in the state, including the Tulalip Tribes of
Washington, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, the Yakama Nation, the Lower Elwha
Kallam Tribe of Indians, the Suquamish Tribe and the Port Gamble S’Kallam Tribe
of Indians.
“Investment in
Broadband will be a fuel for the engine of our economic recovery,” said Inslee.
“NoaNet’s State of Washington
Broadband Consortium is one more link in our economic
chain that will bring broadband access to underserved communities in the 1st district, and build upon the open Internet that has
created millions of new jobs and given thousands of Washingtonians access to the
global marketplace.”
“This is a great example
of the Recovery Act at work, investing in our infrastructure with increased
broadband Internet access,” Baird said. “Rural areas make up a large part of
southwest Washington, and high-speed Internet access in
these areas will help level the playing field. Small businesses can better
compete regionally and nationally, and our kids can take advantage of greater
educational opportunities for generations to come.”
U.S.
Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, Gov. Chris Gregoire, and U.S. Reps. Norm
Dicks, Jim McDermott and Rick Larsen also praised today’s award.
“This investment will help bring affordable and high-speed broadband access to underserved communities across Washington state,” said Murray. “Broadband Internet is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity – for small business looking to expand and create jobs, and for communities hoping to provide families with access to better health care and better education. I was proud to fight for investments in broadband expansion that will take us closer toward our goal of bringing high-speed Internet to every corner of Washington state.”
“Delivering reliable broadband service represents an investment in our communities and our economy, improving access to crucial services in rural communities and extending educational, business and employment opportunities to Washingtonians who live in rural parts of the state,” said Cantwell. “The $54 million grant awarded today to the Northwest Open Access Network will improve connectivity to community anchor institutions, such as schools, libraries, and healthcare facilities, as well as to six Native American tribes across the state. This project will lead to more affordable and accessible broadband service for up to 86,000 households and 14,000 businesses and connect as many as 285 anchor institutions across Washington.”
“This is great news for communities across Washington state,” Gregoire said. “It’s these types of investments that have real results for Washingtonians. Expanding our broadband access puts people to work immediately – and creates jobs, educational opportunities, and improves community safety for the future.”
“As it extends high-speed Internet connections beyond the urban areas in our state, I am encouraged that this grant will create jobs and promote economic development on the Olympic Peninsula,” said Dicks.
“Washington state – especially the city of Seattle – has long been ahead of the curve when it comes to understanding the importance of broadband technology, and I think there is no better region that will better utilize this funding,” McDermott said. “This project will not only improve connectivity for countless Washington state residents, but will equip our region’s public safety entities and health care organizations with cutting edge technology. I’m pleased that the administration recognizes that improving broadband connectivity is a priority, and I want to thank them for recognizing that Washington state will put these funds to good use.”
“Expanding
broadband access will create good
jobs in our communities and help build a foundation for future economic growth
by connecting homes, hospitals, colleges and businesses across northwest
Washington,”
said Larsen. “It is critical that we help our local institutions thrive in a 21st century economy. Expanding broadband services to our rural
communities will allow them to access information, create new educational
opportunities and make the connections they need to grow and thrive in today’s
economy.”
President Obama signed
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on February 17,
2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation’s economy, create or save millions
of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so that
the country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures
to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand
educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide
tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided a total of $7.2 billion to the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to fund projects that will expand access to and adoption of broadband services. NTIA is utilizing approximately $4 billion of that funding for grants to deploy broadband infrastructure in the United States, expand public computer center capacity, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service.
Today's announcement is part of the second round of BTOP grant awards, which will continue on a rolling basis. NTIA will make all BTOP awards by September 30, 2010, and has thus far invested in 179 BTOP grants to benefit communities nationwide.
(Fact sheets with further information about all BTOP grants are available on the NTIA program website here: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandUSA).