Agencies Seek Input on Broadband Grant Programs

Washington, Nov. 16, 2009 – In an effort to improve and streamline the Recovery Act’s broadband grant program, a pair of federal agencies is asking for comments on how they can improve the program and they have announced that they will only offer one more round of funding.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Rural Utilities Service have announced that they will combine the final two rounds of funding that had been originally planned in order to increase efficiency and help stimulate the economy sooner. The RUS’s Broadband Initiatives Program and the NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program received more than 2,200 applications in the first round of funding. Up to $4 billion in grants and loans will be awarded through that round, most likely next month. An additional $3 billion will be available in the next round.