NTIA Releases Second Round Notices for Broadband (BTOP) Grants

On Friday, January 15, 2010, the United States Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released the Notification of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the second and final round of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).  BTOP is available through the federal stimulus package, the American Recovery and Renewal Act (ARRA), which passed in February 2009.

BTOP includes $2.6 billion in funding dedicated to supporting efforts to bridge the digital divide across the United States.  Approximately $2.35 billion will be made allocated for infrastructure projects, approximately $150 million will be allocated to Public Computer Center projects, and at least at least $100 million for Sustainable Broadband Adoption projects.  According to the NTIA Press Release, “NTIA is adopting a “comprehensive communities” approach as its top priority in awarding infrastructure grants, focusing on middle mile broadband projects that connect key community anchor institutions – such as libraries, hospitals, community colleges, universities, and public safety institutions.”

From the NTIA website:

Press Release: NTIA and USDA’s RUS Announce Availability of $4.8 Billion in Recovery Act Funding to Bring Broadband to More Americans. (PDF Print Version 108Kb)

• Fact Sheet: (Acrobat PDF 122Kb)
• Federal Register Notice: Notice of Funds Availability and solicitation of applications for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. (Acrobat PDF 529 Kb)

More information can be found at www.broadbandusa.gov.  Applications and other materials will be available on BroadbandUSA Portal.

Please contact Kunal Malhotra [kmalhotra@council.nyc.gov] at (212) 788-6975 with any questions.

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