Total for Florida: TBD
The U.S. Congress has appropriated $7.2 billion to establish a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program for awards/grants/loans to eligible entities to develop and expand broadband services to rural and underserved areas and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies. These funds are in two federal agencies; US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration ($4.7 billion) and the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Services ($2.5 billion). Of these funds:
The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) will provide grant support to enable consumers in unserved and underserved areas of the United States to access broadband services. The BTOP’s funding will stimulate demand and facilitate greater use of broadband services, while contributing to economic growth and job creation. Up to $350 million may be expended pursuant to the Broadband Data Improvement Act (Public Law 110-385) and for developing a comprehensive nationwide inventory map depicting broadband availability in each State.
The BTOP grant categories and funds include:
- Infrastructure Grants – The BTOP funds will support among other things competitive grants for broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas, and for strategic community institutions and public safety agencies.
- Public Computer Center Grants (at least $200 million) – Competitive grants to boost computing capacity at public computer centers, such as in community colleges and libraries.
- Sustainable Broadband Adoption Grants (at least $250 million) – Competitive grants to fund innovative programs to enhance consumer demand for broadband service.
See the following websites for more information:
http://flarecovery.com/about/state-and-local-projects/infrastructure/broadband
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/