Several states have started prioritizing their broadband projects in anticipation of broadband stimulus grants and loans being approved in the coming weeks and months.
Massachusetts, Washington, Maine, Michigan, and Texas have all communicated their desired priorities of broadband projects within their respective states. StimulatingBroadband.com offers more details into each of these state recommendations. State governments will play an important role in selecting winning applications to the $7.2 billion broadband stimulus program. The first round of the program generated 2,200 applications, totaling $28 billion in requested funding.
NTIA announced the first awards of the overall program last week. Approximately $5.9 million in funding was awarded for state broadband mapping projects in California, Indiana, North Carolina, and Vermont. NTIA and RUS have stated that they intend to start notifying winning applicants in November.
