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Four More States Qualify for Broadband Stimulus Projects
Posted August 5th, 2010 by BfA StaffWith the USDA’s announcement that an additional $1.2 billion of the broadband stimulus has been allocated to more than 100 projects in 38 states, we’re bringing you a closer look at some of those new projects getting underway. Here are four more efforts to expand high-speed Internet access and adoption:
Oregon: The state has been awarded $17 million to expand high-speed Internet access to thousands of homes in rural communities. Read more about the project here.
Pennsylvania: $3.3 million has been awarded to a project designed to bring broadband access to rural areas in the state. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that building out broadband access is only half the work and that ensuring people make use of the new technology is essential.“Certainly, we’ve learned that with the Rural Utilities Service, and with rural electrification in the 30s and 40s, that there was at least initially some skepticism about it all, but as people saw the benefits, as they saw their neighbors utilizing it effectively to make their lives better, there was greater adoption and greater acceptance. That’s obviously what we’re going to have to continue to do with broadband.” Read more here.
Tennessee: $66 million has been awarded to the Highland Telephone Cooperative for a project designed to build up broadband infrastructure in Morgan and Scott counties. The project is expected to expand high-speed Internet access to 52,000 homes, 1,800 businesses and 100 community institutions, in addition to creating “scores” of long-term jobs. Read more about the project here.
Five More States Announce Broadband Projects
Posted July 2nd, 2010 by BfA StaffToday’s announced broadband investments from the White House will bring expanded high-speed access and adoption to all 50 states. Here is a look at some of the specific projects getting underway in conjunction with the new round of public-private investments:
Colorado: $5.2 million will go toward a project in the north-central region of the state, bringing broadband access to about 200 businesses and 1,000 residents through the Nunn Telephone Co. "Expanding Internet access is a 21st-century version of Roosevelt's rural electrification program or Eisenhower's interstate highway system," Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. Read more here.
Massachusetts: $45.4 million will go toward a broadband access project in rural parts of Western Massachusetts. The state will produce $26.2 million in matching funds, to help build more than 1,300 miles of fiber cable, which could reach up to 1 million residents, 44,000 businesses and 700 community centers. The project is expected to create several hundred jobs. “I cannot overstate the value of this project for the communities of Western and North-Central Massachusetts that have gone without reliable high speed broadband service for too long,” Governor Deval L. Patrick said in a statement. Read more here.
Three More States Launch Broadband Projects
Posted April 2nd, 2010 by BfA StaffThree more states have announced broadband infrastructure projects designed to provide high-speed Internet access to underserved communities and improve local institutions. Here is a look at some of the new projects getting underway:
Missouri: Local broadband provider City Utilities (CU) is seeking a $13.1 million broadband stimulus grant to build 100 miles of high-speed fiber. The funding would be backed by $6.1 million in local matching dollars. "If we get the grant, we'll be able to increase the core bandwidth capacity, which means our clients will be able to send out larger amounts of data," CU spokesman Joel Alexander said. "More bandwidth also has a bearing on speed. It should make it faster." The proposal is backed by Gov. Jay Nixon, who has also endorsed 10 other state broadband projects. Read the News-Leader story here.
Oregon: Lane, Klamath and Douglas Counties have been awarded an $8.3 million dollar grant to build out broadband networks. Many of the high-speed Internet infrastructure projects will focus on “critical institutions,” including fire departments, community centers and small businesses. Read the Daily Emerald story here.


