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State & Local Projects

Broadband

Section: Division A, Titles I and II | Agency: Dept. of Management Services

Two competitive grant programs (NTIA $4.7 billion, Rural Utilities Service $2.5 billion) to expand broadband coverage to unserved and underserved populations.

Brief description of program or funding including funding distribution method (formula or competitive grant):  The ARRA provides $4.7 billion for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration to support grants for broadband deployment in unserved or underserved areas.  An additional $2.5 billion is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) to provide grants, loans, or loan guarantees to provide broadband service in rural areas, needed to facilitate economic development.  Full information is available at www.broadbandusa.gov

The Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) is leading a broadband strategy planning group to take advantage of this unique opportunity to draw federal Broadband grant dollars to the State of Florida to enrich our communities statewide. This working group consists of team members representing state agencies, the Governor's Office, the Legislature, community colleges and universities, Enterprise Florida, IT Florida, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties.  More information is available at:  http://dms.myflorida.com/suncom/suncom_customer_resources/broadband_initiative_arra

When funds are expected to be available: On July 1, 2009, Notices of Funding Availability were posted for two programs:  one for the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program and one for NTIA BTOP/USDA RUS BIP.   Over 120 applications have been submitted that could provide various broadband services in Florida.  The Broadband section at the bottom of the Documents page has lists of Round 1 applications for Florida and the Governor's Office comments to NTIA.

How long funds are available:  All awards must be made before the end of fiscal year 2010. Awardees must substantially complete projects within 2 years following an award.

Conditions or prerequisites for accessing funds (include matching or MOE requirements): See the Notices of Funding Availability for full details.  The BTOP grants require a 20% match unless waived by NTIA.  In order to receive a grant, loan, or loan guarantee under the Rural Utilities Service program, 75 percent of the area to be served by a project must be in a rural area without sufficient access to high speed broadband service to facilitate rural economic development, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.  Also, no area of a project funded with the Rural Utilities Service program may receive funding under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.