Thursday, July 02, 2009

More Broadband Stimulus Search

So far most of the information about the Broadband Stimulus (BTOP) has been a re-hashing of the original ideas from the bill and some guesses and gossip about the development of the program. (See here for last BTOP post). But the Notice of Funds Availability was released. (PDF) It's available from the RUS page.

Here's the portal to apply for broadband funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. "The Recovery Act appropriated $7.2 billion and directed the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved communities across the U.S., increase jobs, spur investments in technology and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits. The result is the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)."

"BIP will make loans and grants for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas. BTOP will provide grants to fund broadband infrastructure, public computer centers and sustainable broadband adoption projects."

The first tranche of applications will be accepted between July 14 until August 14, 2009.

NTIA Workshops are going on NOW starting July 7! See here. (Follow link from USDA Workshops page using register online link)

Grant Writers probably have little if any experience writing grants for broadband (tech), mostly they write for rural healthcare and e-rate for libraries.

The Rural Development Broadband Loan Program is committed to ensuring that rural America has access to affordable, reliable broadband service through loans for rural communities. There is a search tool designed to allow you to find information about RUS funded Broadband Loans... here.

Last point: it's about Job Creation, Shovel Ready, and Bridging the Digital Divide.

UPDATE: US Agencies Require Net Neutrality With Broadband Grants - http://tinyurl.com/n3trq2

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