Facts & Details Concerning Stimulus Package
Department & Agency:
Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, Federal Communications Commission
Administering Agency:
Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture, Federal Communications Commission
Agency Contact:
Not clear at this time.
Meeting Notices:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/fedreg/public-broadband-arra2009.pdf
Stimulus Funding:
NTIA, Dept. of Commerce: $ 450,000,000 for the Broadband Technology Opportunities competitive grants. RUS, Dept. of Agriculture: $2,500,000,000 for competitive grants and loans
Eligibility and Type:
NTIA will offer Broadband Technology Opportunities competitive grants. RUS will offer competitive grants and loans.
Program Description:
The bill requires the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture, and the Federal Communications Commission work in a consultative manner to establish new a national broadband service deployment and expansion plan. The plan is titled in the bill as the “Broadband Technology Opportunities Program” and several million dollars has been provided to implement the plan. The purpose of the plan is to provide access to broadband service to “unserved” areas and to improve access in “underserved” areas. Indian tribes are included in the eligible entities for the program. The funds will be provided to eligible entities through a grant process.
Funding Guidance and Timelines:
The agencies expect to have three waves of broadband funding. The first funding notice is expected between April and June 2009, the second funding notice is expected between October and December 2009 and the final funding notice is expected between April and June 2010.
General Provisions:
The grants are intended to accelerate broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas and to strategic institutions that are likely to create jobs or provide significant public benefits. Applicants are allowed to apply and collect funds from both NITA and RUS.
Analysis:
There is not a tribal set-aside provision in the broadband grants program but Indian tribal governments and non-governmental entities in partnership with an Indian tribe are eligible entities for the grants. The Act gives discretion to the agencies to consult with the “chief executive officer of any State,” to identify “unserved” and “underserved” areas within the State for broadband. Also, the Act directs the agencies to consult with the Governor’s office for the allocation of broadband grant funds within the state for projects in the state. The Act requires a 20% match requirement for state and local governments, but is silent with respect to Indian tribes