WASHINGTON-An innovative government-subsidized program is placing schools, libraries, hospitals, local governments, public safety agencies, community organizations and other groups at the cutting edge of new wireless and wireline telecommunications applications.
The Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program awarded 210 grants in 48 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands totaling $60 million in 1994 and 1995.
Government seed money for telecom/information technology projects, administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, has been matched by $100 million in non-federal funds during that period.
NTIA compiled a report on lessons learned from the program, which involves significant administrative work in gathering and reviewing TIIAP applications against a backdrop of rapidly changing technology and lean local budgets.
“By sharing their experiences, we hope that the TIIAP pioneers can help other communities,” said Larry Irving, who serves as head of NTIA, a unit of the Commerce Department.
“We encourage those embarking on information infrastructure projects to read this report, and to contact these TIIAP grant recipients who are paving the way on the information superhighway,” Irving added.
One grant recipient is using wireless technology in New York City so health care professionals can share information on tuberculosis case reports.
Visiting nurses at homes of patients access health records in hospitals via wireless links.
In fiscal 1996, Republicans agreed to appropriate $21.5 million of the $100 million for TIIAP projects. Of that amount, NTIA awarded 67 grants in 45 cities.
The White House asked for $59 million for fiscal 1997 and received $21.5 million.
