California Communities Win Broadband Grant

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2010 - The Commerce Department last week announced a $7.25 million investment to boost economic opportunities in some low-income communities in California.

The money will go toward funding digital literacy in communities in Los Angeles, the Central Valley, Orange County, San Diego and the Inland Empire.

The California Emerging Technology Fund will coordinate a campaign using local partner organizations and others to disseminate information about broadband training and services to 5 million California residents.

The investment will upgrade California’s One-e-App online screening and enrollment system that aids families in applying for a range of health care and social service programs. The project expects to increase adoption of broadband Internet service among certain populations by more than 130,000 households.

Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration received more than 1,800 applications proposing projects totaling nearly $19 billion during a first Broadband Technology Opportunities Program funding round and is currently awarding grants on a rolling basis. NTIA is currently accepting BTOP applications through Mar. 15 for a second round of funding.