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Broadband Stimulus Programs

In February 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) into law. This sweeping legislation commits $7.2 billion in new spending for broadband projects that will be distributed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) (a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS). Through separate programs, NTIA and RUS will offer grants and other financial awards to projects that encourage the development and use of broadband service. The application period for the first funding round (non-mapping funding requests) concluded on August 20, 2009. One or two additional rounds of funding for the various RUS and NTIA programs are expected within the next few months. All funds will be awarded by September 2010. The professionals at Fish & Richardson understand the complexities and regulatory hurdles that grant applicants will face, and can assist you with securing funding.

Who is eligible for broadband grants?
Grants are available to states, educators, infrastructure providers, broadband service providers (including, but not limited to, those in rural communities), medical and healthcare providers, libraries, public safety agencies, and many others.

What factors will impact grant eligibility?
The eligibility of grant applicants will depend upon a number of factors including:

The applicant's location (e.g., specific state, rural vs. urban, and unserved vs. underserved areas);
The type of applicant (e.g., public vs. private school, elementary school vs. "higher education", public safety organization, medical/healthcare provider, and infrastructure provider); and
The applicant's proposed project (e.g., broadband vs. non-broadband).

We can assist you to develop and implement a strategy to identify and apply for funding.

Click here for our quick reference guide entitled "How to Prepare a Successful Broadband Grant Application."

Frequently Asked Questions and Additional Information

NTIA Program FAQ.

RUS Program FAQ.

Additional Education-Oriented Grants and Appropriations.

NTIA/RUS Broadband Grant and Loan Programs: Procedures and Requirements.

Broadband Stimulus Opportunities for Equipment Manufacturers and Vendors . New!

Recent Events Involving the Broadband and Other Stimulus Programs

NTIA announced that it has awarded the first four grants (approximately $7 million) under the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program to fund activities in California, Indiana, North Carolina, and Vermont (October 5, 2009). Click here to view the NTIA release.

RUS and NTIA have posted Public Notice filings of the proposed funded service area(s) of each BIP and BTOP Infrastructure application (September 28, 2009). Through the Broadband USA Mapping Tool, you can view these filings as well as a geographic representation of applications received. Click here to visit the Broadband USA Mapping Tool website.

In testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Lawrence E. Strickling indicated NTIA may hold only one more round of funding (September 10, 2009). Click here to view the hearing transcript.

RUS and NTIA have posted a searchable database of all applications received during the first funding round (September 9, 2009). Click here to search the applications received.

Congressional Report: BTOP Quarterly Program Status Report (August 17, 2009). NTIA submitted a report to various House and Senate Committees about progress on the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) established under the ARRA. Click here for the Congressional Report.

NTIA and RUS Issue First Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) in Connection With Broadband Grant/Loan Programs (July 2, 2009). The deadline for submitting an application is August 14, 2009 at 5:00 pm EDT. A total of up to $4 billion in funds is available. Click here for the NOFA.

Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Agriculture Grant Limited Waiver of Buy American Provision (June 26, 2009). The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Agriculture grant a limited waiver of the Buy American provision with respect to certain broadband equipment that will be used in projects funded under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and the Broadband Initiatives Program. Click here for the Commerce notice. Click here for the Agriculture notice.

Acting FCC Chairman Copps Releases Report on Broadband Strategy for Rural America (May 27, 2009). As required by the 2008 Farm Bill, the Chairman of the FCC is required to submit "a report describing a comprehensive rural broadband strategy" to Congress. Given the ARRA broadband grant program, this report is timely and of great significance to the creation of a national broadband strategy. Click here for the FCC news release. Click here for the report. Click here for a statement from Commissioner Adelstein.

Click here for other recent events.

Helpful Government Links

BroadbandUSA.gov web page

NTIA Broadband Technology Program

RUS Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program

FCC Broadband Information

General ARRA Information

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

For more information contact: