First four NTIA state grants awarded
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced on Monday that it has awarded four state grants in California, Indiana, North Carolina, and Vermont for broadband mapping.
"The four award recipients submitted well-formed proposals that are both fiscally prudent and serve as a model for others," said NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling, "We are committed to making the program succeed nationwide and will continue to provide guidance to applicants where necessary to help them improve their proposed projects."
The funds will be used primarily for data collection and broadband planning. The information will be included in the national broadband map that the economic stimulus bill requires NTIA to create.
The first four awards total approximately $6 million, including $2 million for the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center (e-NC, a Speed Matters partner) and $2.3 million to the California Public Utilities Commission for mapping and planning activities.
NTIA received applications from all 50 states, as well as 5 territories and the District of Columbia. The agency is reviewing the remaining 52 applications and expects to continue announcing awards on a rolling basis throughout the fall.
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