General Information

September 2009 Reporting Requirements Guidance The Department of Commerce has released specific guidance on estimating jobs for the Section 1512 recipient reporting requirements. The guidance is available at: http://recovery.commerce.gov/JobCreationGuidance

Economic Development Assistance

EDA Announced Nearly $37 Million Available in Community Trade Adjustment Assistance On January 11, 2010, the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced in the Federal Register that nearly $37 million in grants is available to help communities suffering from the adverse effects of import competition develop ways to more effectively compete in the global economy. The funding is available under EDA's Community Trade Adjustment Assistance (Community TAA) Program, which was created in ARRA. The deadline for the submission of full applications for grant assistance is April 20, 2010.

The notice published in the Federal Register may be viewed at:   http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-273.pdf  

The Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement detailing eligibility and application requirements may be viewed on EDA's website at: http://www.eda.gov/PDF/CommunityTAAFFOFINAL2.pdf

In addition, applicants can visit: http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/CommunityTAA.xml for complete and updated information on the program.

Economic Development Grants The Department of Commerce released guidelines for $150 million in competitive grants, of which $50 million is set aside for economic adjustment assistance, under the Economic Development Assistance Program. The guidelines can be accessed at: http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY09 ARRA FFO FINAL.pdf

Community Development Competitive Grants The Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, announced an ongoing competitive grant solicitation to promote the competitiveness of regions and increase higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in regions that have experienced sudden and severe economic dislocation and job loss as a result of corporate restructuring. Funding priorities include leveraged partnerships  under the Department of Labor's Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative and BRAC-affected communities transitioning from a military to civilian economy:  http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY09ARRAFFOFINAL.pdf

Bond Programs

The Treasury Department released "how-to" guidance on the stimulus law's new taxable Build America Bond and Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond programs, as well as allocations for the qualified zone academy bond and qualified school construction bond tax-credit programs. This information can be found at: http://www.irs.gov/taxexemptbond/article/0,,id=206034,00.html

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program

March 2, 2010: NTIA Extends Application Closing Deadline for Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (CCI) Projects The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that the closing deadline for the submission of applications for CCI projects under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) is extended until March 26, 2010. There are no changes to the application filing window for Public Computer Center (PCC) and Sustainable Broadband Adoption (SBA) projects. For more information, see: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2010/FR_BTOP_deadlineextension_03032010.pdf

March 2, 2010: 23 States Awarded More than $160 Million in Broadband Grants The Department of Commerce announced the award of ARRA BTOP grants for California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. To view the awards, go to: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2010/BTOPgrants_03022010.html

February 18, 2010: Commerce Announces Investments to Expand Broadband Internet Access The Department of Commerce announced ARRA grants to increase broadband access and adoption in 10 states, totaling $357 million. For more information, see: http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008930

February 17, 2010: $277 Million in Broadban Investments Commerce also announced $277 million in broadband investments in nine states. For that information, click here: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1RD?printable=true&contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/02/0068.xml

February 12, 2010: Guidance for Second Round BTOP Funding Posted NTIA has posted grants guidance for Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (CCI), Sustainable Broadband Adoption (SBA), and Public Computer Center (PCC) applications. NTIA posted grant guidance for the three project types in the second round Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for ARRA Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program (BTOP) grants. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2010. For more information, see: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/

January 25, 2010: USDA Announces $310 Million for Rural Broadband Projects The USDA announced the selection of 14 broadband infrastructure projects that will receive $309.9 million in ARRA funding. For additional details, see: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1RD?printable=true&contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/01/0032.xml

January 22, 2010: Second Funding Round of BIP Announced The Rural Utility Service (RUS) released a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFAs) for the second funding rounds for the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). Applications will be accepted from February 16, 2010, to March 15, 2010. The BIP NOFA is available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-1099.pdf

January 15, 2010: Commerce's NTIA and USDA's RUS Announce $4.8 Billion for Broadband Infrastructure The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced a second round of funding for ARRA grants and loans to expand broadband access and adoption. The agencies also announced a series of public workshops nationwide to review and answer questions regarding the revised application process. To view the joint press release and workshop locations, go to: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2010/BTOP_BIP_NOFAII_100115.html

The BTOP NOFA can be viewed at: www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2010/FR_BTOPNOFA_100115.pdf

January 7, 2010: New Online Tool Available to Help Grant Seekers Find Partners The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced the launch of BroadbandMatch, a new online tool to facilitate partnerships among prospective applicants to the agencies broadband grant and loan programs. BroadbandMatch - http://match.broadbandusa.gov - allows potential applicants to find partners for broadband projects. For more information, see: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2010/BBMatch_20100107.html

December 17, 2009: First Round BTOP Grants Announced The administration announced a $183 million investment in 18 broadband projects benefiting 17 states, as part of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) authorized in ARRA. This funding has been matched by $46 million in public and private sector capital. Awards will continue to be announced from the first round application pool on a rolling basis into February 2010. To view the awards, see: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/vice-president-biden-kicks-72-billion-recovery-act-broadband-program

December 4, 2009: NTIA Seeking Public Comment on Information Collection The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) posted a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on continuing and proposed information collection requirements for the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program, authorized under ARRA. To view the notice, see: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2009/FR_MappingProgram_PRANotice_091203.pdf

November 16, 2009: GAO Reports on Needed Action to Improve Implementation of Commerce and USDA Broadband Programs The Government Accountability Office released a report on the scheduling, staffing, and data challenges facing NTIA and RUS in implementing their broadband technology programs. The full report is available here: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d1080.pdf

November 16, 2009: Commerce and USDA Release Joint Request for Information on Broadband Programs The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), along with USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS), issued a joint request for information seeking public comment on certain issues relating to the implementation of the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). Additional details are available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27359.pdf

October 5, 2009, First NTIA Grants Announced The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it awarded the first four grants under NTIA's State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program to fund activities in California, Indiana, North Carolina, and Vermont. For more information, see:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2009/BTOP_MappingAwards_091005.html

August 27, 2009: Funding Applications The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) have received almost 2,200 applications requesting nearly $28 billion in funding for proposed broadband projects reaching all 50 states and territories and the District of Columbia. This is the first round of ARRA funding aimed at expanding broadband access and adoption to help bridge the technological divide and create jobs building Internet infrastructure, with $4 billion available through loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations. For more information, see: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/08/0409.xml  

August 7, 2090: Notice Clarifying Info Collection Requirements The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), at the Department of Commerce, released a notice clarifying the information collection requirements for the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program (Broadband Mapping Program), originally put forth in a July 1, 2009, Notice of Funds Availability. The notice can be found at: http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/broadband_mapping.htm

States have until August 14, 2009, to submit applications for the Broadband Mapping Program.

July 23, 2009: Broadband FAQs The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) posted answers on their website to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding NTIA's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and RUS' Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). Topics addressed include applying for funds, eligibility and matching, and the review and award process. Additional questions can be submitted directly to NTIA by e-mail at btop@ntia.doc.gov or by phone at (202) 482-2048, as the FAQ section will be updated. To view the FAQs section, go to: http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/files/BIP-BTOP_FAQ.pdf

July 1, 2009: Notice of Funds Availability The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the Department of Agriculture jointly issued a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) and solicitation of applications for the broadband initiatives under ARRA - NTIA's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). Funded at $4.7 billion, BTOP provides competitive grants to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas, to enhance broadband capacity at public computer centers, and to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. Applications will be accepted between July 14 - August 14, 2009. More information is available at: http://www.broadbandusa.gov

July 1, 2009: Funding Availability for State Broadband Data Grant Program The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program. NTIA will provide competitive grants for projects that collect state-level broadband mapping data, develop state-level broadband maps, aid in the development and maintenance of a national map, and fund statewide initiatives directed at broadband planning. NTIA expects to make $240 million in ARRA funding available through this NOFA. A 20% non-federal match will be required.

The NOFA and fact sheet can be found at:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/index.html

June 24, 2009: Limited Waiver of ARRA Buy American Requirements NTIA released notice that the secretary of Commerce has granted a limited waiver of the Buy American Requirements of ARRA for certain equipment that will be used for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). Additional information about the limited waiver can be found at:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2009/FR_BuyAmericanWaiver_090626.09.pdf

April 3, 2009: Commerce Inspector General Issues Recovery Act Flash Report on the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program ARRA authorized the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to implement the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program-a $4.7 billion one-time competitive matching grants program to expand broadband services to unserved and underserved areas, improve broadband access for public safety agencies, stimulate the economy and create jobs. The report describes these lessons learned and is the first in a series of timely advisory reports the Commerce OIG intends to issue on NTIA's administration of the Broadband Technology Opportunities program. http://www.recovery.gov/?q=node/316

Other Programs

April 2, 2009: DOC Creates Website for NTIA Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program and DTV Converter Box Program The TV Converter Box Coupon Program was established with $650 million in ARRA funds to allow NTIA to issue coupons to all households currently on the waiting list, to start mailing coupons via first class mail and to ensure vulnerable populations are prepared for the transition from analog-to-digital television transmission. http://www.recovery.gov/?q=node/315