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"Broadband USA" Grant Application Filing Portal

The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) have established a combined portal to apply for broadband funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which can be accessed at:

http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/index.htm

Here you will be able to complete the grant applicant registration process and download an application for the grant. You will also find information about regional grant workshops (to assist applicants in preparing a responsive application), Frequently Asked Questions, Information Library, and contact information.

You will also find links to the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Broadband Initiatives Program (RUS) and Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (NTIA) and a link to the NOFA for the NTIA State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program (for broadband mapping).

There is a link to the "Buy American" waiver for the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program. The NTIA published a separate "Buy American" waiver in the Federal Register.

The NTIA also has a separate website with comprehensive information only about the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).

Information about the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program can be found on the Rural Development website. The Department of Agriculture has also launched a website for information about all of the agency Recovery Act programs.

Grant Application Preparation

One-Day Public Workshops

The NTIA and RUS have announced the first series of one-day public workshops about the application process for the broadband grants and loans under the Recovery Act. Workshops will include an overview of BTOP-BIP programs, a review of the application process for NTIA and RUS grants and loans and individual meetings with Rural Development headquarters and field staff.

Workshops will be held in the cities listed below. You can register online. Pre-registration will close for each city approximately 24 hours prior to each workshop.


July 7, 2009 Washington, DC July 8, 2009 Boston, MA July 10, 2009 Charleston, WV July 14, 2009 Birmingham, AL July 15, 2009 Memphis, TN		July 16, 2009 Lonoke, AR July 17, 2009 Billings MT July 21, 2009 Minneapolis, MN July 23, 2009 Albuquerque, NM July 24, 2009 Los Angeles, CA

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for grant funding, the applicant is required to:

Purposes

Explain how grant funds will be used to carry out the purposes of the stimulus act.

Need for Grant

Show that the project would not have been implemented during the grant period (2 years after award) without the funding provided by the grant.

Congress has asked the NTIA “to ensure, to the extent practicable, that grant funds (are) used to assist infrastructure investments that would not otherwise be made by the entity applying, or,secondarily, that might not be made as quickly.” (Conference Report)

Capability and Competence

Demonstrate that it is capable of carrying out the project in a competent manner in compliance with all applicable Federal, state and local laws.

Other Funding

Disclose the source and amount of other Federal or state funding for the project that the applicant has applied for or received.

Assurances

Provide assurances that the grant funds are being used and accounted for properly.

ARRA, Section 6001 (e)(3) – (e)(7), pages 400 – 401

Network Neutrality and Interconnection

Recipients must adhere to the FCC's broadband Internet policy statement concerning network neutrality and network interconnection and additional requirements implemented by NTIA or RUS. Networks must be operated on an “open access” basis.

ARRA, Section 6001 (j), page 401.

Reporting

Grant recipients are required to submit quarterly reports that explain how the funds are being spent and the progress being made in meeting the project completion schedule.

ARRA, Section 6001 (i), page 401

Grant Application Outline

The grant application process should be treated as a political exercise, where the applicant enters into partnership with community anchor institutions, makes alliances with stakeholders, obtains support from state and federal elected officials.

Applicants should demonstrate their competence and capability to complete the project.

Powerful themes to build an application around include:

1. Increase broadband affordability and subscribership.

2. Provide the highest possible, next generation broadband speeds to the greatest population of users.

a. WiMAX is a 4th generation broadband technology that is the most cost effective way to expand serve the greatest populations.

3. Maximize job creation and economic benefits

a. Deploying next-generation broadband speeds is likely to result in greater job creation and job preservation than projects centered on current generation broadband speeds.

b. Create jobs in state Economic Development Districts (Department of Commerce), Empowerment Zones (Department of Housing and Urban Development) or Enterprise Communities (Department of Agriculture).

c. Provide estimates of jobs and economic benefits with input from partners and stakeholders.

d. Resource: The Economic Impact of Stimulating Broadband Nationally (PDF) (Executive Summary)

4. Improve access to and use of broadband service to:

a. Unserved areas and “underserved” areas (where consumers don’t have a choice of providers). Clearwire’s open network with wholesaling access to other Internet service providers should be discussed in detail.

b. Vulnerable populations, including lower income, unemployed, and aged users.

c. Provide broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment and support to schools, libraries, medical and healthcare facilities, and other anchor community institutions that serve as magnets for economic development.

5. Construct and deploy broadband facilities that improve public safety communications. Partner with first responders with Clearwire’s mobile WiMAX subscriber units.

6. Solicit the support of stakeholders in the community, including educational institutions, healthcare facilities, children’s services, disadvantaged small business, and financial institutions.

a. Assess community needs

b. Aggregate demand for services

c. Stimulate community involvement

c. Foster useful technology applications

7. Seek the support of elected state and federal government officials.

a. Visiting the state website to locate the relevant agencies and officials

Links to State Recovery Websites

b. Obtain letters of support to include as part of the grant application

8. Demonstrate that the project would not be implemented without grant assistance.

9. Show that the project can be started expeditiously (“shovel ready”) and completed in the grant period (2 years after award).

10. Provide the source and amount of funding that is available to cover the 20 percent matching funds that are required to be provided by the applicant.