It’s not surprising to hear. Both RUS and NTIA have confirmed what was already widely rumored. The deadline for ‘pending online’ broadband stimulus applications has been extended until 5:00pm ET August 20, 2009. Here it is, straight from the government’s mouth:
“Over the last several days, the online application system (Easygrants® System) has experienced service delays due to the volume of activity from potential applicants. The agencies have added additional servers to address these capacity issues. Nevertheless, in an effort to give applicants that have already started the electronic application submission process prior to the application closing deadline an opportunity to complete the submission of those applications, RUS and NTIA announce that an applicant with an application pending in the Easygrants® System as of 5 p.m. ET on August 14, 2009, will be given until 5 p.m. ET on August 20, 2009, to complete the electronic submission of its application.”
In order to qualify for the extension, applications must have been pending as of 5 p.m. ET on August 14, 2009. Looks like some folks get a little breathing room, and perhaps a little sleep.
Perhaps the smartest thing they've done sine launching this program!