http://www.usda.gov/2009/07/0318.xml
Release No. 0318.09
Contact:
NTIA Media Contact
Mark Tolbert III (202) 482.8176
USDA Media Contact
Bart Kendrick (202) 379-8400
COMMERCE AND USDA HOSTED PUBLIC FORUM FOR BROADBAND GRANT AND LOAN APPLICANTS IN BILLINGS, MONTANA
Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary Anna M. Gomez Addressed Importance of Closing the Digital Divide Among Minority Communities
BILLINGS, MONT. -- July 17, 2009, the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) met in Billings, Mont., and held the seventh of ten public forums designed to help prospective grantees apply for $4 billion in broadband grants and loans under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Today's forum followed Vice President Biden's announcement earlier this month of the availability of $4 billion in Recovery Act loans and grants to help bring broadband service to unserved and underserved communities across America. This is the first round of funding aimed at expanding broadband access to help bridge the technological divide and create jobs building out Internet infrastructure.
Commerce NTIA Chief of Staff Tom Power and USDA Rural Development Acting State Director Janelle Gustafson participated in the public forum. Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Anna M. Gomez spoke at a pre-workshop meeting on "High Speed, High Stakes: Closing the Digital Divide in Minority Communities."
"Tribal nations face unique challenges in the modern global economy," said Gomez. "Broadband access is an essential part of leveling the economic playing field. That's why it is important that tribal governments and minority communities are aware of the opportunities under this program."
"Expanding access to broadband in communities throughout rural America is a major goal of the Obama administration because it is critical for future economic success," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Today's workshop is an important part of the effort to expand broadband to unserved and underserved communities in the region to enable all communities to compete in the 21st century economy."
Workshops include an overview of the first round of grant funding available under NTIA's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and grants and loans available under RUS' Broadband Initiative Program (BIP). The workshops are designed to assist potential grant and loan applicants with questions about the application process.
Future workshop dates and locations for the first round of funding include July 21 - Minneapolis, Minn.; July 23 - Albuquerque, N.M.; and July 24 - Los Angeles, Calif. Attendees may pre-register for workshops online at www.broadbandusa.gov.
The Recovery Act provided a total of $7.2 billion to the Department of Commerce and the USDA to accelerate broadband deployment in areas of the country that have been without the high-speed infrastructure. Of that funding, NTIA will use $4.7 billion to deploy broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas in the United States, expand public computer center capacity and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. RUS will invest $2.5 billion to facilitate broadband deployment in rural communities.
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