Funding Window Opens for Broadband Stimulus

According to Government Technology, "The second and final funding window for broadband stimulus applications opened Tuesday, Feb. 16. Applicants have until March 15 to complete their submissions, which preparers are working feverishly to align with the latest broadband stimulus eligibility requirements." $7.2 Billion is available for broadband projects, with the money distributed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

Priority is given by NTIA to partnerships with entites such as hospitals, community colleges and government agencies. But don't send a request to spend a small amount of money for a local project. According to the administrator of NTIA, he won't consider a project of less than $500,000. In fact, talking about a particular statewide project, he said, "It's much more impressive of a project to us than some we've gotten where a single library filed and asked for a $20,000 grant to create a public computer center. That isn't to say they didn't have a meaningful project for their community. [But] it costs us more than $20,000 to even look at that application."

So, only apply if you need a LOT of money for a project. If you still are considering an application, the rules are in a new Notice Of Funds Available (NOFA) for grants from NTIA and another from RUS. NTIA has links to grants guidance here, just under the "What's New" heading. RUS has links here.

Additional Funding for Cities

I've said before that cities need another round of stimulus money, according to them. According to The Christian Science Monitor, President Obama agrees. Their article on the 2010 budget starts, "In President Obama’s fiscal 2011 budget proposal, the nation’s cities are winners."

The budget proposal contains another $100 Billion in economic stimulus money, much of which should go to cities. Low income projects reap the benefits of several of these proposals, including increased Medicaid funding, additional funding for low-income housing, and extension of unemployment benefits.

Subsidies for the Build America Bonds program are projected to continue, which should help with capital improvements in cities. The new proposal makes these subsidies permanent. Will this help Jackson with their water and sewer improvements? Maybe; we'll wait and see. Above all, remember that this is the President's PROPOSED budget. No fortune teller can accurately predict what will actually be squeezed from the budget process in Congress.