Bridging the Digital Divide |
Dear Massachusetts Broadband Institute Stakeholders, We would like to share some news with you about an exciting and important milestone for the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) in its effort to secure federal funding. With a continued focus on job creation and economic recovery, Governor Deval Patrick announced today his prioritization of applications that propose broadband projects within Massachusetts to be funded by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program created in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) requested input from the executives of all US states and territories to fulfill the state consultation requirement included in the Act. In response, Governor Patrick has indicated to the NTIA that the following projects are his highest priority and collectively best reflect the diverse needs of, and his priorities for, Massachusetts:
These applications, and others submitted from Massachusetts and across the nation, must still be evaluated by the NTIA, which is expected to announce funding recipients sometime next month. The NTIA has received over 2,200 applications for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program from across the nation, totaling nearly $28 billion. Only $1.6 billion is being made available in this first round, so this is clearly a very competitive program. MBI Application Details In August 2009, the MBI submitted proposals for over $100 million in federal stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding request is divided into two proposals – a request for $100 million for broadband infrastructure in western Massachusetts was sent to the federal Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, and a request for $2.4 million for statewide broadband mapping was sent to the State Broadband Data and Development Program. In the $100 million application, the MBI proposes to build broadband fiber infrastructure totaling $125 million that will provide citizens of the 43 unserved and underserved communities of western Massachusetts with world-class, future-proof broadband Internet access. Specifically, the MBI proposes to build a fiber “middle mile” network throughout the western region of the state that, in addition to bringing broadband access to these communities, would provide direct connection to regional anchor institutions and critical community facilities. The project, which would create up to 3,040 jobs, would be developed in collaboration and partnership with other state and local government entities, non-profits, and for-profit companies. It is a vital part of the MBI’s plan to create economic opportunities and lead to improvements in the areas of public safety, education, health care, and other vital services through broadband expansion. Within each community, interconnection will be made available at cost to private or non-profit Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that will enter into contractual relationships with the MBI to provide “last-mile access” to the public Internet for residents, businesses, and local community anchor institutions including schools, libraries, police stations, and town hall facilities. The project area covers 1,591 square miles, roughly one-third of the Commonwealth, and would bring new broadband access to 20,337 households and 5,750 businesses. Numerous anchor institutions, public safety entities, and critical community organizations in the region have expressed interest in being involved with the project and being connected to the network that the MBI proposes to build. The fiber-optic network would build on a recently announced $4.3 million, 55-mile segment of MBI fiber currently being deployed along the Interstate 91 corridor in western Massachusetts. This partnership with the Massachusetts Highway Department constitutes a “match” from Massachusetts towards the federal funding proposal. Governor Patrick’s prioritization letter to the NTIA yesterday includes not only the MBI’s middle-mile infrastructure application but also the synergistic and complementary sustainable broadband adoption and public computing center applications from WesternMA Connect (using the Franklin Regional Council of Governments as its fiscal agent) that collectively focus on geographic areas of Massachusetts where the need is greatest. All federal broadband stimulus funding will be awarded based upon a competitive review and scoring process. Please visit www.massbroadband.org for more information on the MBI.
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