The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) within the Department of Commerce will hold meetings with interested parties beginning March 2, 2009 to discuss NTIA broadband grant programs. NTIA will hold individual or group meetings depending on the number of meeting requests received. All of the information will be placed on the public record.
The NTIA broadband grant programs include the grants described in the Broadband Data Services Improvement Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The Broadband Data Services Improvement Act enacted October 2008 directs the Secretary of Commerce to award grants to eligible entities on a competitive basis to assess, identify, and track broadband services in each state.
ARRA establishes the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) to make grants available on a competitive basis to accelerate and expand broadband deployment. $4.7 billion is available to the BTOP program with $250 million to be available for innovative programs to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services. In addition, $200 million will be used to upgrade technology and capacity at public computing centers including community colleges and public libraries and up to $350 million is designated for the development and maintenance of statewide broadband inventory maps.
To schedule an appointment for a meeting, contact Barbara Brown at 202-482-4374 or email bbrown@ntia.doc.gov.
