Nearly 2,200 applications filed for broadband stimulus funds

The government said it received almost 2,200 applications totaling $28 billion in broadband stimulus package requests. “Applicants requested nearly seven times the amount of funding available, which demonstrates the substantial interest in expanding broadband across the Nation,” said Lawrence E. Strickling, assistant secretary for communications and information and administrator of National Telecommunications and Information Administration. NTIA is overseeing the $7.2 billion in available funding, along with the Rural Utilities Services. “We will move quickly but carefully to fund the best projects to bring broadband and jobs to more Americans.”
The $7.2 billion is part of the president’s $787 billion stimulus package, designed to jumpstart the economy, and bring broadband access to more Americans. Of the funding requests, more than 830 applications are aimed at broadband infrastructure buildouts, while 320 applications are aimed at sustainable broadband projects. Another 360 applications would increase broadband availability at public centers, including libraries and community colleges. All of the $7.2 billion set aside to help bring broadband access to more Americans must be awarded by Sept. 30, 2010. Nearly all of the RUS funding ($2.5 billion) is available this round.