Xenophon Strategies

$4.8 Billion Available for Broadband Projects

Julie Chlopecki

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) made $4.8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding available to expand broadband access to un-served and underserved communities.

Applications for this round of funding will be accepted between February 16, 2010 and March 15, 2010.

This round of funding includes:

• $2.35 billion in grants for infrastructure projects under NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP);
• $2.2 billion in grants and loans for infrastructure projects in rural areas under RUS’s Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP);
• $150 million for Public Computer Center grants, which can be used to enhance or expand broadband capacity at public libraries, community colleges, or other institutions; and
• $100 million for Sustainable Broadband Adoption grants, which will provide broadband education, training and equipment to expand broadband access among vulnerable populations.

For More Information

• NTIA BTOP Notice of Funding Availability
• RUS BIP Notice of Funding Availability

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