USDA/FCC/Commerce Hold Joint Kick-Off Meeting for Broadband Initiative

Created by Anna Gould (EDUCAUSE) on March 10, 2009

Today marked the beginning of the race for broadband grant funding. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the economic stimulus package, provides for a national broadband initiative. Three government entities are charged with distributing funding for creating, sustaining, and expanding broadband deployment: the Department of Commerce (National Telecommunications and Information Administration), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Rural Utilities Service), and the Federal Communications Commission. In a meeting held at the Department of Commerce, the three agencies discussed paving the way for the broadband initiative and took questions from the audience.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said his department would be focusing on “unserved” areas, so that communities would be better positioned for accessing worldwide markets. He said broadband will help farmers and ranchers prosper, allow small businesses to grow, and prepare young minds for the future. Vilsack said he was “anxious to get to work.”

The Acting Chairman of the FCC, Michael Copps, said broadband marks the “central infrastructure challenge of our time.” Saying that the International Telecommunications Union recently lowered the United States’ world ranking to 17th for broadband penetration, Copps said this issue affects many industries, including health care, education, and the environment, among others. He emphasized that “value laden, high speed broadband” should be the goal for every citizen, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic area.

Commerce Department Senior Adviser and Acting Chief of Staff Rick Wade urged the audience to engage the government and help develop funding proposals. He said that this issue is vital for “community anchor institutions,” including libraries and universities. Wade said Commerce will work very closely with the FCC and USDA in order to ensure funding is wisely spent and allocated in the best way possible.

Visit the NTIA’s web site for more information. The next blog will discuss the application process in more detail…

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		USDA/FCC/Commerce Hold Joint Kick-Off Meeting for Broadband Initiative Created by Anna Gould (EDUCAUSE) on March 10, 2009 Today marked the beginning of the race for broadband grant funding. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the economic stimulus package, provides for a national broadband initiative. Three government entities are charged with distributing funding for creating, sustaining, and expanding broadband deployment: the Department of Commerce (National Telecommunications and Information Administration), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Rural Utilities Service), and the Federal Communications Commission. In a meeting held at the Department of Commerce, the three agencies discussed paving the way for the broadband initiative and took questions from the audience. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said his department would be focusing on “unserved” areas, so that communities would be better positioned for accessing worldwide markets. He said broadband will help farmers and ranchers prosper, allow small businesses to grow, and prepare young minds for the future. Vilsack said he was “anxious to get to work.” The Acting Chairman of the FCC, Michael Copps, said broadband marks the “central infrastructure challenge of our time.” Saying that the International Telecommunications Union recently lowered the United States’ world ranking to 17th for broadband penetration, Copps said this issue affects many industries, including health care, education, and the environment, among others. He emphasized that “value laden, high speed broadband” should be the goal for every citizen, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic area. Commerce Department Senior Adviser and Acting Chief of Staff Rick Wade urged the audience to engage the government and help develop funding proposals. He said that this issue is vital for “community anchor institutions,” including libraries and universities. Wade said Commerce will work very closely with the FCC and USDA in order to ensure funding is wisely spent and allocated in the best way possible. Visit the NTIA’s web site for more information. The next blog will discuss the application process in more detail… Washington Update \| broadband \| Economic Stimulus \| National Broadband Policy \| NTIA \| RUS Anna's blog Login or register to post comments 187 reads
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