U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $115.2 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investment to help bridge the technological divide, boost economic growth, create jobs, and improve education, public safety, and healthcare delivery in Maryland.
“This project will have a real and lasting impact on Maryland by improving the quality of life for residents and helping businesses, particularly those in areas like the western panhandle and eastern shore, better compete in the global economy,” Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling said.
The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service are administering a nearly $7 billion Recovery Act initiative to expand access to and adoption of broadband services. NTIA is utilizing approximately $4 billion of that funding for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), which provides grants to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure, enhance and expand public computer centers, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service.
Today’s announcement is part of the second round of BTOP grant awards, which will continue on a rolling basis. NTIA will make all BTOP awards by Sept. 30, 2010, and has thus far announced 219 BTOP grants to benefit communities nationwide.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
