Rural Areas Win More Than $309 Million in Broadband Stimulus Grants

Broadband stimulus grants and loans equaling more than $309 million were recently awarded for private-sector networks in rural areas by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), one of two federal agencies distributing $7.2 billion set aside in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for broadband projects. The total RUS share of the money was $2.5 billion. Some of the recent RUS awards went to middle-mile networks, but most of the 14 grants went to last-mile projects, the primary stimulus focus of the RUS. Middle-mile networks will be the main target of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the other federal agency distributing broadband stimulus money.

By Andy Opsahl, Features Editor

Full Story: http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/741453