Final Round of Broadband Data Funding Announced

WASHINGTON September 27, 2010 – NTIA Administrator Lawrence Strickling has announced the final list broadband data grants. The final set of grants will provide additional funding to each of the state’s designated mapping entities.

“As Congress recognized, many communities are being left behind in the 21st Century economy and need improved broadband access and adoption to compete,” said Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling. “Each state has unique broadband challenges, and these investments will support solutions developed by the states to harness the power of technology so that local businesses can thrive and residents can enjoy a better quality of life.”

The funding can be used for various data gathering projects which the states have been conducting.

Some states such as Arkansas will use the funding to help expand government services to rural communities; promoting the use of eGoverment and the accessing of services over the internet.

North Carolina, which has been supporting the eNC Program that has conducted mapping long before federal funds were available, will use existing data along with new information to create in depth models.

The 56 grants total $190 million.