Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the funding of 43 new broadband infrastructure projects in 27 states. Here’s the list (pdf).
Meanwhile, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) also announced 35 new awards totaling $482 million — most of them “middle mile” connectivity projects.
Overall, the federal Recovery Act was to invest $7.2 billion in expanding broadband access nationwide – $4.7 billion through NTIA and $2.5 billion funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS). RUS has posted a Round 2 Application Directory while the NTIA has a searchable database.
NTIA will make all BTOP awards by September 30, 2010, and has thus far announced 216 grants.
By leveraging $2.5 billion in Recovery Act funding authorized by Congress, USDA has been able to provide loans and grants of $3.6 billion to construct 307 broadband projects in 46 states and one territory.
Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan, grant or loan/grant agreement.
President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to expand access to and adoption of broadband services. into law on Feb. 17, 2009. 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.
Related Dailywireless articles include; NTIA: Big Fiber Grants Wind Down, RUS Awards $1.2B for Broadband, Round Two Stimulus: $4.8 Billion for Broadband, 66 Broadband Grants Awarded, ARPA-E: 43 Grants Announced, NTIA: Another $63M in Grants, Government Announces Broadband Grants, FCC Okays Terrestrial LTE for SkyTerra, Cisco’s Connected Communities Initiative, The 700MHz Network: Who Pays?, The National Broadband Plan, National Broadband Plan Previewed, D-Block: It’s Done; Congress Pays
