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Link to Mass.Gov/Recovery
Link to Federal Recovery site
Link to the Recovery Act (pdf)
NEWS ALERT
On July 17th, Governor Patrick signed H4158, “An Act Providing for Economic Recovery through Broadband Initiatives.” It is now Chapter 33 of the Acts of 2009. Read the Chapter >>
Massachusetts Broadband Institute and Other State Partners Submit Broadband Investment White Paper to President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid
The MBI and six other state technology entities have submitted a white paper titled Broadband Investment for Economic Recovery: Perspectives of an Ad-Hoc Group of State Broadband Entities to President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The paper details the group's positions on broadband-related funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
The House and Senate conference on the Act should provide the full $7 billion of broadband funding agreed upon by the Senate.
The bulk of broadband funding should be made available through competitive grants rather than through loans.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, rather than the Rural Utilities Service, should administer the competitive grant program.
The broadest possible participation from state entities should be facilitated by building flexibility into any requirements for matching funds. While Massachusetts is well positioned with our bond funding, to make this legislation work for all states any match requirements should be minimal, accommodate in-kind rather than cash contributions, and include a process that allows public entities to apply for waivers.
The MBI also wrote a letter to the Massachusetts federal delegation to apprise them of the group's submission of the white paper to the U.S. leadership. Read the letter here >>