Massachusetts Group Fails to Find Funds in BTOP’s First Round

WASHINGTON, January 28, 2010 – The Massachusetts Broadband Institute boldly announced this week that it’s a BTOP loser, at least temporarily.

The Commerce Department told the institute and its partner WesternMA Connect that they will not receive any federal stimulus awards in the first round of monies available from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.

The group said while it’s “very disappointed by this development” it will “work to ensure the Round 2 applications are ultimately approved.”

It stressed that its “commitment to broadband connectivity is unwavering, and bringing this vital resource to the unserved and underserved regions of western Massachusetts remains one of our highest economic development priorities.”