News Archive
NIST Director Gallagher Participates in Dedication of New Facility for Coral Reef Research
Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Directory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Dr. Patrick Gallagher today is helping dedicate the new Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research (CoECRER) at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Hollywood, Florida.
Gallagher joins state and local officials, including Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, and other guests, including former Vice President Al Gore and Dr. Paul Sandifer, Senior Science Adviser to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in the opening celebration for the “only research facility in the nation dedicated entirely to coral reef ecosystems science.”
Among the unusual features of the festivities was a morning media tour, by snorkel, of one of the center’s off-shore coral “nurseries.”
NTIA Administrator Strickling Addresses Broadband Program Progress
At an event in Washington, D.C. today, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling described the progress of broadband stimulus projects, noting that Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grantees have thus far installed more than 4,000 computers for public use and provided computer training to more than 65,000 people.
"These Recovery Act projects are already providing an essential link to economic and educational opportunities for thousands of Americans,” said Strickling.
Strickling said that BTOP grantees deploying infrastructure projects have already entered into approximately 90 interconnection agreements with other Internet service providers, which will enable these additional providers to connect to the new infrastructure in order to more affordably expand their own broadband service to local homes and small businesses.
NOAA Establishes Supercomputing Center in West Virginia with Recovery Act Funding
NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco today announced a $27.6 million American Reinvestment and Recovery Act investment to build a new state-of-the-art supercomputer center in Fairmont, W. Va. Lubchenco was joined by U.S. Rep. Alan B. Mollohan for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the NOAA Environmental Security Computing Center (NESCC), which is geared to develop and improve the accuracy of global and regional climate and weather model predictions.
“This state-of-the-art supercomputer will not only give NOAA a powerful new tool in climate and weather modeling and service delivery, it will also cement north central West Virginia's reputation as a growing high-tech center,” said Rep. Mollohan. “This facility will help anchor the I-79 Technology Park for decades to come.” Read more
Secretary Locke Announces Recovery Act Investments To Expand Broadband Internet Access And Spur Economic Growth in Seven States
Announcement completes broadband stimulus awards
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced 14 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments to help bridge the technological divide, create jobs, and improve education and public safety in communities across the country. The investments, totaling $206.8 million in grants, are the final awards in a program to increase broadband Internet access and adoption, enhancing the quality of life for Americans and laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.
“In a globalized 21st century economy, when you don’t have regular access to high-speed Internet, you don’t have access to all the educational, business and employment opportunities it provides,” Locke said. “These critical Recovery Act investments will create jobs and lay the groundwork for long-term sustainable economic growth in communities across America.” (Read more)
Secretary Locke Announces Recovery Act Investment to Expand Broadband Internet Access and Spur Economic Growth in Maryland
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $115.2 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investment to help bridge the technological divide, boost economic growth, create jobs, and improve education, public safety, and healthcare delivery in Maryland.
“In a globalized 21st century economy, when you don’t have regular access to high-speed Internet, you don’t have access to all the educational, business and employment opportunities it provides,” Locke said. “This critical Recovery Act investment will create jobs and lay the groundwork for long-term sustainable economic growth in Maryland.”
The grant to the Maryland Department of Information Technology will fund deployment of high-speed Internet infrastructure to deliver affordable broadband service to each of Maryland’s 24 counties. The project plans to construct over 1,200 miles of new fiber and incorporate 2,400 miles of existing fiber from three independent networks. The new network plans to provide enhanced broadband service to more than 1,000 community anchor institutions, including universities, K-12 schools, libraries, public safety, and healthcare facilities, and connect educational hubs like the University of Maryland and Coppin State University to National LambdaRail and Internet2. In addition, local Internet service providers will be able to utilize the new infrastructure to deploy new or improved high-speed Internet service to consumers and businesses.
“This project will have a real and lasting impact on Maryland by improving the quality of life for residents and helping businesses, particularly those in areas like the western panhandle and eastern shore, better compete in the global economy,” Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling said. Read more
Secretary Gary Locke Announces Recovery Act Investments to Expand Broadband Internet Access and Spur Economic Growth
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced 35 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments to help bridge the technological divide, boost economic growth, create jobs, and improve education and healthcare across the country. The investments, totaling $482.4 million in grants, will fund projects that pave the way to bring enhanced high-speed Internet access to millions of households and businesses and link thousands of schools, hospitals, libraries, and public safety offices to the information superhighway.
"In a globalized 21st century economy, when you don’t have regular access to high-speed Internet, you don’t have access to all the educational, business and employment opportunities it provides,” Locke said. “These critical Recovery Act investments will create jobs and lay the groundwork for long-term sustainable economic growth in communities across America.”
“These projects will have a real, lasting impact on communities across the country,” Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling said. “We are investing in ‘middle mile’ networks that bring high-speed Internet access to communities and connect key anchor institutions, such as schools, libraries, and hospitals. We are also investing in projects to improve access and spur Internet usage and adoption. This allows us to get the most bang for every grant dollar and award projects that will address communities’ broadband problems while creating jobs and facilitating sustainable economic growth.” Read more
Vice President Biden, Secretary Locke and Senior Administration Officials Announce $1.8 Billion in Recovery Act Broadband Projects
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. Remarks | Press release | White House release
NTIA Announces Recovery Act Investment to Expand Broadband Internet Access and Economic Opportunities in New Mexico
Washington (August 16)—The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced a $10.6 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investment to help bridge the technological divide, boost economic growth, create jobs, and improve education and healthcare in New Mexico.
The grant to the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District will fund the deployment of high-speed Internet infrastructure across the counties of Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, and northern Santa Fe, and to five Native American tribal communities. The project plans to directly connect more than 120 community anchor institutions to broadband service – including public safety facilities, K-12 schools, community colleges, government buildings, healthcare providers, and libraries – which will support uses such as distance learning, telemedicine, and improved public safety communications. The project also intends to promote energy efficiency by enabling “smart grid” applications for regional rural electric cooperatives. In addition, local Internet service providers will be able to utilize the new infrastructure to deploy new or improved high-speed Internet service to consumers and businesses. Read more
Secretary Locke Announces ARRA Investments to Improve Broadband Internet Access
Following President Barack Obama’s announcement today, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke held press conference calls with elected officials from Oregon and Vermont to announce American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) investments that will help improve economic opportunity and support job creation in both Vermont and Oregon. Locke was joined on the conference calls by Vt. Gov. James Douglas, U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernard Sanders, and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch from Vermont, and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer, and Kurt Schrader from Oregon.
NOAA Awards $73.6 Million Recovery Act Contract for New Fisheries Survey Vessel
Washington (April 20)—NOAA awarded a $73.6 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contract to Marinette Marine Corporation located in Marinette, Wis., for the construction of a new fisheries survey vessel, which will dramatically improve NOAA’s ability to conduct surveys for fish, marine mammals and turtles off the U.S. West Coast and in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The vessel will be the fifth in a series of state-of-the-art Oscar Dyson-class ships built for the agency. (More)
