Tons of First Round Applications for Rural Broadband funding

COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCE STRONG DEMAND FOR FIRST ROUND OF FUNDING TO BRING BROADBAND, JOBS TO MORE AMERICANS

Nearly 2,200 Diverse Applications Submitted for Share of $4 Billion in Funding to Expand Broadband Access and Adoption

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  August 27, 2009
NTIA Media Contact: Mark Tolbert III 202-482-8176 or press@ntia.doc.gov

USDA Media Contact: Bartel Kendrick 202-379-8400

WASHINGTON- The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced today that they received almost 2,200 applications requesting nearly $28 billion in funding for proposed broadband projects reaching all 50 U.S. states and territories and the District of Columbia. This is the first round of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding aimed at expanding broadband access and adoption to help bridge the technological divide and create jobs building Internet infrastructure, with $4 billion available through loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations.

The Recovery Act provided a total of $7.2 billion to NTIA and RUS to expand access to and adoption of broadband services. Of that funding, NTIA will utilize $4.7 billion to deploy broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas in the United States, expand public computer center capacity, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. RUS will invest $2.5 billion to facilitate broadband deployment in primarily rural communities. Approximately $2.4 billion from RUS and up to $1.6 billion from NTIA is available in this first grant round.

Applications came in from a diverse range of parties including  state,  local, and tribal governments; nonprofits; industry; anchor institutions, such as libraries, universities, community colleges, and hospitals; public safety organizations; and other entities in rural, suburban, and urban areas.

“Applicants requested nearly seven times the amount of funding available, which demonstrates the substantial interest in expanding broadband across the Nation,” said Lawrence E. Strickling, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Administrator of NTIA. “We will move quickly but carefully to fund the best projects to bring broadband and jobs to more Americans.”

“The overwhelming response we received underscores the extensive interest in expanding broadband across the country. Rural communities clearly recognize that broadband can expand their economic opportunities and create jobs,” said Jonathan Adelstein, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, USDA.  “The Obama Administration’s goal is to target funds to serve areas of greatest need.  The big demand for loans as well as grants demonstrates that we can leverage private investment with USDA’s $2.5 billion to deliver the greatest bang for the taxpayers’ buck.”

A preliminary analysis of applicant-reported data shows that NTIA and RUS received requests for grants and loans totaling nearly $28 billion. When including about $10.5 billion in matching funds committed by the applicants, there are over $38 billion in proposed broadband projects.

The applications break down as follows:

Infrastructure

• More than 260 applications were filed solely with NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), requesting over $5.4 billion in grants to fund broadband infrastructure projects in unserved and underserved areas.

• More than 400 applications were filed solely with RUS’s Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP), requesting nearly $5 billion in grants and loans for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas.

• More than 830 applications were filed with both NTIA’s BTOP and RUS’s BIP, requesting nearly $12.8 billion in infrastructure funding. (Applicants for infrastructure projects in rural areas must apply to BIP but were given the opportunity to jointly apply to BTOP in case RUS declines to fund their application.)

Sustainable Broadband Adoption

• More than 320 applications were filed with NTIA requesting nearly $2.5 billion in grants from BTOP for projects that promote sustainable demand for broadband services, including projects to provide broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment or support, particularly among vulnerable population groups where broadband technology has traditionally been underutilized. (The Recovery Act directs NTIA to make at least $250 million available for programs that encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services, of which up to $150 million is allocated in this first round of grants.)

Public Computer Centers

• More than 360 applications were filed with NTIA requesting more than $1.9 billion in grants from BTOP for public computer center projects, which will expand access to broadband service and enhance broadband capacity at public libraries, community colleges, and other institutions that provide the benefits of broadband to the general public or specific vulnerable populations. (The Recovery Act directs NTIA to make at least $200 million available for expanding public computer center capacity, of which up to $50 million is allocated in this first round of grants.)

In the coming weeks, NTIA and RUS will post online a searchable database containing summaries of all applications received.  The dollar figures cited today represent applicants’ self-reported totals from proposals submitted before the August 20, 2009, deadline at 5 p.m. ET. These results are preliminary estimates, however, and may change as the applications are reviewed for errors, omissions, and duplications.

source: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2009/BTOP_BIP_090827.html

Places in Calaveras considered unserved or underserved for using the internet

Where are internet connections non-existent in Calaveras County?

See the map showing the degree of wireline broadband coverage in Calaveras County. See the map showing the degree of wireless broadband coverage in Calaveras County.

See the list of places below defined by the California Broadband Task Force.The list of places are defined as populated places named in the United States Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (go figure).

These maps and lists are in the California Broadband Task Force’s final report “The State of Connectivity – Building Innovation Through Broadband Final Report of the California Broadband Task Force

Places in Calaveras Considered Unserved or Underserved

Fisher

Fort Jones

Fuchs

Ganns

Goodmans Corner

Independence

Indian Creek

Jesus Maria

Lake Camanche

Calaveras Milton

Mountain Ranch

Rail Road Flat

Rich Gulch

Sandoz

Sheep Ranch

Timber Trails

Wallace

Neighbor reaches agreement to tap ARRA funds

By unanimous vote of the Board of Supervisors, Tuolumne County, not Calaveras, will pursue ARRA funds offering low interest loans. Wish it was Calaveras County. But first the county had to relabel itself a “recovery zone”. More information here, courtesy of mymotherlode.com.

Proud to write this …

because the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail will benefit! Susan Skalski made the announcement Friday. This is sure to bring living wage jobs to our community and the county. Thanks Forest Service, we haven’t seen trail funding like this for several years.

full disclosure: I represent the Upper Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail on the MCCT Trail Council.

Sonora, August 14, 2009 – Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski announced today that the forest will initiate several new projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack released the national package for Forest Facilities and Trails on July 21, 2009. A total of 191 roads projects, funded at more than $274 million, are located on Forest Service land in 32 states. The Stanislaus will receive $3,526,000 from this latest round of project funding.

“The Recovery Act projects we’re announcing today are central to creating jobs and building a better, stronger economy in the future,” said Secretary Vilsack. “These projects exemplify President Obama’s commitment to sustainability, reducing our environmental footprint, and increasing energy efficiency, which will benefit the 178 million people who visit the National Forests each year, while generating additional tourism and stimulating local economies.”

New Stanislaus ARRA projects include:

• The Stanislaus Trails project will use $2,208,000 to construct or repair three trails accessible to disabled people at Columns of the Giants, Donnell Vista, and San Antonio Creek, and construct or improve trails at Black Bear Bigelow, Mokelumne Coast to Crest and San Domingo Creek. Projects are located in Tuolumne or Calaveras Counties.
• Forest Facility projects will use $1,318,000 to retire a deferred maintenance backlog at various recreation sites throughout the Forest, repair the historic Cal Trans Baker Station Road Maintenance site listed with the National Registry of Historic Places and decommission deteriorating buildings at American Camp. Projects are located in Tuolumne or Calaveras Counties.

“These projects will help improve access to Stanislaus National Forest wonders and special places for able and disabled people alike, improve the quality of visits to Forest recreation sites and repair or eliminate deteriorating structures that detract from the beauty of our public lands,” said Skalski.

The Forest Service Trails System provides access to a wide diversity of users including hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiers. In many ways, the benefits of maintaining the trails system are similar to those of roads. Trail maintenance includes protecting soils and reducing erosion, along with clearing vegetation, controlling invasive species, and removing downed trees. Repairs and upgrades to trail heads and parking areas will improve access and safety for trail users. All of this is labor-intensive work requiring skilled workers to be hired under ARRA.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act also directs the Forest Service to improve, maintain and renovate public and administrative facilities. As with the roads and trails system, there is currently a large backlog of maintenance needs for public facilities. Maintenance needs were identified through extensive studies of specific public facilities needed to support the primary outdoor activities that are best provided on the National Forests and grasslands.

Information on other Forest Service ARRA projects and related economic recovery can be found at: fs.usda.gov/recovery

Rural Americans Adopt Broadband, But Gap Remains | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural

We’re making progress, slowly but steadily. Wonder what trends look like when you factor in our mountainous topography?

Rural Americans Adopt Broadband, But Gap Remains | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural

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Drinking water and wastewater project funding flowing in to the Mother Lode

What kind of funding will the Mother Lode receive? And what kind of jobs can we expect to see from this funding?

As many are already aware, funding infrastructure is a major bottleneck to progress and improving quality of life in Calaveras County.

An article in today’s Calaveras Enterprise highlights the critical need for ARRA funding for our county’s water and waste water infrastructure. The article explains that San Andreas residents will see a 28.5%  increase in their monthly sanitary district utility bills unless ARRA funds a desperately needed waste water infrastructure project in San Andreas.

The ARRA will give the EPA clean water and drinking water state revolving fund (SRF) programs $6 billion, including $4 billion for the clean water SRF and $2 billion for the drinking water SRF. In addition, the USDA Rural Water and Waste Disposal program will receive $1.38 billion for loans and grants.

For local water and waste water agencies in California like the San Andreas Sanitary District, funding will come from the federally-identified Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and in California this will be the State Water Resources Control Board.

Like the home weatherization initiative, its not yet clear how this ARRA funding translates to desperately needed jobs for Calaveras County residents. Stay tuned.
Update

San Andreas wins a grant and a loan!

The San Andreas Sanitary District will receive $5.8 million in grants and another $4.7 million in a 30-year loan at 1 percent interest. State-mandated upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant prompted the need to come up with millions to fund the work.

“At first we were looking at a 20-year loan at 2.6 percent interest,” said Steve Schimp, district manager. “This is going to save us so much money and a good portion is a grant.”

These ARRA funds were allocated through the state’s State Water Resources Control Board.  Here is the complete list of projects the SWRCB recommended for funding.

We are going from 1950s to 21st century with these upgrades,” he said. Schimp said that the first pre-construction meeting is scheduled for sometime this week.

On Tuesday, with the knowledge that SASD was out of hot water with the state and standing on solid financial ground, Perley had only one message for the public.

“Make sure you tell everyone that it was Steve (Schimp) who made this happen,” Perley said. “Steve is 99.9 percent responsible for bringing this money to Calaveras.” — Calaveras Enterprise website

Real Time Monitoring

Today in Capitol Notes, we learned about the job of a stimulus package auditor. Capitol Notes comes from John Myers, Chief of KQED’s California Report.

CETF suggests process to fund high-speed internet with ARRA

Here’s a pretty powerpoint presentation outlining the California Emerging Technology Fund’s suggested approach to bring ARRA funds to the Mother Lode. Yes, there are jobs involved in deploying the hardware and software. But more importantly there’s a potential for a new and improved economy. CETF suggests some ways high speed internet could support a new and improved economy. Which one makes sense for your county?

• Digital Literacy
• Telehealth and Telemedicine
• Smart Housing
• Smart Infrastructure
• Smart Land Use Policies

More on how to bring Energy Efficiency ARRA to Calaveras County and Angels Camp

Here’s more on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program, out of the Department of Energy.

The purpose of this program is to support projects geared toward reducing fossil fuel emissions and increasing energy efficiency. The program aims to promote activities that are environmentally sustainable and benefit the local and regional communities to the maximum extent. Activities funded under this program will include:

• Development and implementation of energy efficiency and conservation strategies
• Technical consultant services
• Residential and commercial energy audit
• Financial incentive programs
• Energy efficiency retrofits
• Energy efficiency and conservation programs for buildings and facilities
• Developing and implementing programs to conserve energy used in transportation
  • Developing and promoting zoning guidelines or requirements that promote energy efficient development
  • Synchronization of traffic lights
  • Developing infrastructures such as bike lanes, pathways, and pedestrian walkways
• Building codes and inspection
• Energy distribution
• Materials conservation programs
• Reduction and capture of methane and greenhouse gases
• Traffic signals and street lighting
• Renewable Energy technologies on government buildings

A question and answer webinar is a must-see for any local government trying to figure out its energy-efficient grant strategy. While watching, look for ways Calaveras County can fund some of those bikeways, safety-features on our roads, roundabouts, and even the general plan update and new jail and justice center. Cool.

Big Dollars flowing into rural counties

Our President ran his campaign on a platform that promised change when he took office. He said it was time for to get away from the old, increasingly expensive, and energy intensive ways because they were unsustainable. He promised a return to an innovative America and a sense of hope for the future we can be proud to bestow on our children.

Today that change arrived in Calaveras County. ARRA funding for rural counties is here in the form of block and competitive grants– to put us on the road to reduce energy use and become more energy efficient.

The details:

The Department of Energy released the guidelines and the funding allocations for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

California received $351.5 million for local governments to use for projects and programs to reduce total energy use. $49.6 million will support energy efficiency and conservation programs for small rural counties and cities as well as statewide efforts.

California’s Energy Commission will make 60 percent ($29.7 million) of these funds available to small cities and counties through a competitive bid process.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact their local city or county directly for ways to partner for the Block grant funding and assist local governments meet these goals.

The remaining 40 percent can be expended at the Energy Commission’s discretion. The Energy Commission is preparing guidelines describing how the block grant funds may be used and awarded emphasizing project cost-effectiveness, energy savings, project readiness and job creation. Guidelines are not ready and there is no application process yet available.

Local government, small cities and counties are urged to sign up at ListServe http://www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/blockgrant.html