- MEMBERS RECEIVE ACCESS TO:
- CIO Leadership Group
  CIO Leadership Task Force provides a unique forum for Chief Information Officers from the largest cities and counties in the U.S. to privately interact, both through an online collaboration site and in regular face-to-face meetings. It offers these leaders an on-going opportunity to share information and experiences, and to discussing IT challenges facing larger community jurisdictions.
- Digital Infrastructure
  Task Force
  The Digital Infrastructure Task Force is a collaborative networking group for government IT professionals. Through timely exchange of information and experiences, both online and through regular face to face meetings, municipal and regional government members help each other to make smarter technology decisions for their communities.
- Law Enforcement
  IT Task Force
  The Law Enforcement Task Force is a collaborative networking group for local law enforcement officials from across the nation. In online and regular face to face meetings, both sworn and civilian law enforcement officials come here to discuss technology trends, collaboration and information sharing opportunities within the local law enforcement community.
- Private Events
  and Webinars
- Exclusive White Papers
- JOIN:
- Public Sector
- Private Sector
Digital Communities Home
Introduction
Feature Articles
Local Government Events
Contact
Digital Communities Blogs
Digital Citizen Pulse
Broadband Nation
Web 2.0 Convergence
In the Trenches
International Beat
Notes from a City CIO
Intelligent Communities
MuniGov 2.0
Surveys and Awards
Digital Cities Survey
Digital Counties Survey
DGAA Awards
Best of the Web Awards
Reference and
Resource Library
White Papers
Exclusives
Webinars
Best Practices
Digital Communities
Special Focus
Current Issue
Past Issues
Subscribe

Digital Communities
Industry Members

Click sponsor logos for whitepapers, case studies, and best practices.

Feds Consolidate Last Two Broadband Stimulus Funding Windows into One

November 10, 2009 By Andy Opsahl

Agencies seeking broadband stimulus money now have only one more opportunity to apply because the two remaining funding windows have been consolidated into one, according to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Rural Utilities Service (RUS), the two federal agencies tasked with distributing $7.2 billion set aside in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for broadband projects. This may surprise some, given the U.S. Government Accountability Office said the two agencies were being overwhelmed by the application process in late October.

The move will enable more money to be spent sooner, but agencies that planned to wait until the third funding window will be unexpectedly pressured for time. Competition for broadband stimulus money is intense. The first deadline generated nearly $28 billion in applications and will award a maximum of up to $4 billion. Rejected applicants from the first funding window can apply for the second. The agencies have yet to announce the second deadline, but officials hope to begin accepting applications after the new year, said Jessica Schafer, spokeswoman for the NTIA.

"Based on our experience with the first funding round, including the overwhelming response we've seen from applicants nationwide, we believe this consolidated approach brings a number of benefits," said Lawrence E. Strickling, assistant secretary for communications and information and administrator of the NTIA in a statement.

Spending the money faster was the primary benefit articulated in the NTIA's statement.

"It makes no sense to try to do two funding rounds for smaller amounts when there's this kind of demand," commented Craig Settles, an Oakland, Calif.-based municipal broadband analyst. "Also, the administrative burden of preparing for, receiving and reviewing these applications is huge. Both agencies probably cut their admin time in half by consolidating the last two rounds."

View Full Story

| More

Cape Cod Wins Broadband Stimulus Grant

Add Your Comment

Name *

Comment *

You are solely responsible for the content of your comments. We reserve the right to remove comments that are considered profane, vulgar, obscene, factually inaccurate, off-topic, or considered a personal attack.

In Our Library

White Papers | Exclusives Reports | Webinar Archives | Best Practices and Case Studies

Identity and Access Management Considerations: Gain insight into enterprise identity and access management (IAM) trends and a unified approach that can simplify identity and access management before, during, and after your organization implements cloud-based services.
Document Driven Process Automation and Human Services: By the Center for Digital Government

Read this Center for Digital Government issue to find out how document-driven process automation can drastically accelerate workflow in state and local government human services agencies.
Using Wireless Technology to Manage and Optimize Government Fleets: Saving Money, Generating Revenues, and Increasing Safety: Using Wireless Technology to Manage and Optimize Government Fleets: Saving Money, Generating Revenues, and Increasing Safety. The paper discusses the challenges federal, state and local government agencies currently face with their government fleets; how mobile technology can help; considerations when selecting a mobile solutions partner; and the benefits of choosing Sprint. Specifically, Frost & Sullivan highlights Sprint’s fleet expertise, its powerful networks, and advanced partnerships that work in concert to provide government fleets with the ability to: Save money, Generate new revenues, Enhance safety, Help the environment, Increase the availability and transparency of information to the public

Latest From Digital Communities Features

Follow @dcommunities

RSS

Law Enforcement Digital Infrastructure

Digital Communities members get access to our collaboration task forces

427 Members

77 Discussions

84 Files

Latest members Become a member

Digital Communities members get access to our collaboration task forces

669 Members

145 Discussions

150 Files

Latest members Become a member

Featured White Papers & Reports

CIOs Redefine Local Government and Industry Relations

Based off of discussions of the Digital Communities Large Jurisdiction Chief Information Officer (CIO) Working Group, this white paper aims to answer the question, "In today's economic, political and business environment, what constitutes a successful relationship between government and industry?" Cause for Optimism identifies and clarifies the issues that separate government and industry, and begins to find an answer to the question necessary for both to enjoy a successful and prosperous future.

View Full Library

Events

GTC East

Don't miss this opportunity to see the latest in digital government solutions, keep abreast of current policy issues and network with key government executives, technologists and industry specialists.

View All Events