The President and Congress have designated broadband telecommunications access for all Americans as a national priority. Their commitment, including support and funding programs, was signed into law as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

$7.2 billion in stimulus funding is jointly administered by the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture, via the $4.7B DOC National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the $2.5B USDA Rural Utility Service (RUS) Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP).

BTOP grants will be awarded in three categories:

• Broadband Infrastructure ($1.2B first round)
• Public Computer Centers Centers ($50M first round)
• Sustainable Broadband Adoption ($150M first round)  

Each category will require a separate application; multi-category projects are encouraged. 

BIP funds will be awarded as grants, loans or grant/loan combinations to stimulate development of rural broadband infrastructure.  Though BIP is a new USDA program, some provisions, including awardee reporting requirements, will be similar to prior RUS programs.

Applications for the first funding round are due August 14th.  A second round is scheduled for December and the final round for Spring of 2010.

Telecommunity.US is actively working to provide clear, accurate information to help citizens and communities understand Broadband Stimulus programs and benefit from the opportunities they offer.