Public Meeting about the Broadband Stimulus Act Hosted by NTIA and RUS on March 16, 2009. Rey Ramsey participated in a panel entitled, “Roundtable on Innovative Programs to Encourage Sustainable Adoption of Broadband Service and Expanding Public Computer Center Capacity.” Source: Flickr User One.Economy

BTOP Grant Award Criteria

Congressional directive to make at least one award in each state.

ARRA Section 6001 (h)(1) page 400

Infrastructure Grants are evaluated on the following factors:

Increasing the affordability of the service and increase the number of subscribers in the area;

Providing the fastest broadband speed to the greatest number of users in the area;

The stimulus act “requires the NTIA to consider whether an application will result in the greatest possible broadband speeds being delivered to consumers.” The drafters of the legislation had initially established specific broadband speed thresholds as an eligibility criterion. However, Congress was concerned that “a specific speed threshold could have the unintended result of thwarting broadband deployment in certain areas. (Congress was) also mindful that the construction of broadband facilities capable of delivering next-generation broadband speeds is likely to result in greater job creation and job preservation than projects centered on current generation broadband speeds. Therefore, . . . the NTIA (was instructed) to fund, to the extent practicable, projects that provide the highest possible, next-generation broadband speeds to consumers.”

Enhancing broadband service for health care, education, and child services for the greatest number of users in the area

ARRA, Section 6001 (h)(2), pages 400 – 401.

Non-recurring costs for projects cannot be funded through another Federal program.

ARRA, Section 6001 (h)(3), pages 401.

NTIA is directed to consider whether the grant applicant is a socially or economically disadvantaged small business, as defined in the Small Business Act.

ARRA, Section 6001 (h)(2), pages 400 – 401.