On Friday, Feburary 13, 2009, the President signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Top priorities for the ARRA are to:
- Preserve and create jobs
- Provide assistance to those most impacted by the current recession
- Spur technological advances in science and health
- Invest in infrastructure to provide long-term economic benefits
- Stabilize state and local government budgets to avoid reductions in essential services.
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 also charges the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) with the task of disbursing $7.2 billion via grants for broadband infrastructure and adoption programs by September of 2010.
$2.5 billion to be distributed by RUS:
- Funding is available in any area of the US, provided "at least 75% of the area served must be rural without sufficient access to high-speed broadband service to facilitate rural economic development"
- Priority will be given to projects:
- that will deliver end users a choice of more than one service provider
- that provide service to the highest proportion of rural residents that do not have acess to broadband service
- from borrowers or former borrowers under title II of the Rural Electrification Act
- that demonstrate that ... all project elements will be fully funded
- that can commence promptly following approval and can be completed
- Report to Congress no later than 90 days after enactment and quarterly thereafter
- The monies are in addition to current broadband funding
$4.7 billion to be distributed by the NTIA With assistance from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) shall be established. The purpose of BTOP is to :
- Provide broadband access to consumers residing in unserved areas
- Provide improved broadband access to consumers residing in underserved areas
- Provide broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment and support, including to schools, libraries, healthcare providers, organizations that provide support services to low-income, unemployed, and aged populations, and job-creating strategic facilities localed in economic zones
- Improve access and use by public safety agencies
- Stimulate demand for broadband, economic growth and job creation
- All awards to be made by September 30, 2010
- Projects are to be completed within 2 years following award
- Public posting and reporting to Congress every 90 days
Applicants can apply for RUS or NTIA dollars but not both.
Learn more about how Northridge can help you take advantage of these programs.