Broadband Initiative (ARRA)
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) or Stimulus Bill, the U.S. Congress has appropriated $7.2 billion to distribute funding for the purpose of developing and expanding broadband services to rural and underserved communities, focusing on schools, libraries, health care, educational institutions, non-profit community organizations, and the construction of broadband infrastructure.
Two federal agencies will handle the distribution of broadband grants/awards through an application process:
$4.7 billion - National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Commerce
$2.5 billion - Rural Utilities Services (RUS), U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) is leading a Broadband strategy planning group to take advantage of this unique opportunity to draw federal Broadband grant dollars to the State of Florida to enrich our communities statewide. This working group consists of team members representing state agencies, the Governor's Office, the Legislature, community colleges and universities, Enterprise Florida, IT Florida, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties.