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Stimulus Legislation Guide
The Merit Network Stimulus Legislation Guide contains useful information regarding Federal grants and funding opportunities for Broadband infrastructure and related educational facilities. It is designed to help you sort through confusion resulting from the breadth of programs and projects in development and currently underway.
Though named for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, commonly referenced as the "Stimulus Package," this page also features information pertaining to the National Science Foundation research and infrastructure grant programs, the FCC's National Broadband Plan and Rural Health Care Pilot Program, and the new Schools, Healthcare and Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition.
The links provided on this web page will connect you to further information about a given program or piece of legislation and corresponding documents in pdf for you to download. Please feel free to submit and share information that would be helpful to others in the Merit community.
We will update this page as we receive new information. We will also send updates and other information to those interested via the email distribution list: .
- ARRA Broadband Round II Funding
On January 15, 2010, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and US Department of Agriculture's Rural Utility Service (RUS) released the much anticipated Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the second and final round of ARRA Broadband Funding which makes $4.8 billion available to community organizations municipalities, and private entities who submit broadband proposals targeting urban, rural, and non-rural areas. There are NOFAs for each program, the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) respectively.
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Legislation (ARRA)
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was signed into law on February 17, 2009. It establishes $7.2 Billion in funding for broadband infrastructure, public computing centers and sustainable broadband adoption programs. Two federal agencies are designated to distribute the funds over three rounds of grant applications. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has created the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The US Department of Agriculture's Rural Utility Service (RUS) has created the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). For more information on these two programs see below. This portal will take you to links that connect to documents concerning the bill itself, explanatory statements of the Conference Committee and further information regarding the Buy American Waiver for BTOP and BIP grant projects.
- Broadband USA
The Broadband USA web portal was created in an effort to streamline the application process for the first round of ARRA broadband funding. It is shared by both the NTIA's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). This portal will take you to links that connect to key items from the Broadband USA site, including the joint BTOP-BIP Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the first round of Broadband funding and current applications for BTOP-BIP Broadband Infrastructure, Public Computing Centers and Sustainable Broadband Adoption.
Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)
The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) is under the auspices of the National Telecommunications Administration (NTIA). ARRA legislation designates $4.7 Billion to be dispersed over three rounds of funding. This portal will take you to links that connect to various publications concerning the BTOP program, including the BTOP Fact Sheet published with the NOFA on July 1st 2009 and the NTIA homepage.
- Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP)
The Broadband Initiatives Program (BTOP) is under the auspices of the US Department of Agriculture's Rural Utility Service (RUS) and is also referred as program of RUS Rural Development. ARRA legislation designates $2.5 Billion to be dispersed over three rounds of funding. This portal will take you to links that connect to various publications concerning the BIP program including the RUS Rural Development Telecommunications web page. It also features links to other RUS Broadband grant opportunities that are not part of the ARRA, such as the Community Connect Grant Program and the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program.
- FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Program (RHCPP)
The Rural Health Care Pilot Program (RHCPP) is under the auspices of the Federal Communications Commission. It will fund 85% of costs for the implementation of a broadband infrastructure network exclusively for health care purposes. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will administer the program under the oversight of the FCC. USAC is an independent, not-for-profit corporation created by the FCC and designated as the administrator of the Universal Service Fund (USF). This portal will take you to links that connect to various publications concerning the RHCPP and the USAC.
- FCC National Broadband Plan
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is charged in the ARRA legislation with the development of a National Broadband Plan by the beginning of next year, 2010. The plan moves forward with the goal of enabling adequate broadband access to every person in America. The plan is part of what is being referred to by the Obama Administration as the Omnibus Broadband Initiative. This portal will take you to links that connect to various publications concerning the current stages in the development of the FCC National Broadband Plan, including the new blog from the FCC regarding the National Broadband Plan, Blogband.gov.
- Broadband Data Improvement Act (BDIA)
ARRA legislation designates $350 Million for the Broadband Data Improvement Act (BDIA) for the development and maintenance of a broadband inventory map. As part of the BDIA, the State Broadband Data and Development Program will fund projects that document comprehensive and accurate state-level broadband mapping. This portal will take you to links that connect to various publications concerning the BDIA and State Broadband Data Development Program, including the latest published listed of eligible applicants.
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
ARRA legislation designates $800 Million in funding for projects aimed at improving academic facilities for research and infrastructure. This portal will take you to links that connect to various publications concerning the Academic Research Infrastructure Program (ARI-R2), the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI-R2) and other funds for Major Equipment and Facilities Construction.
- Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLBC)
On June 11th, the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLBC) launched in Washington D.C. The Coalition is dedicated to ensuring that every community anchor institution in America is connected to high-capacity broadband. This portal will take you to links that connect to various publications concerning the SHLBC.
- ARRA Within the State of Michigan
This portal will connect you to various links relating to ARRA efforts that are taking place in Michigan.
- Other Useful Information
This section of the Stimulus Legislation Guide contains extra ARRA-related information that you may find useful. Links contained in this portal include, but are not limited to U.S. Innovation, home page of the Alliance for Science and Technology, publications from the American Association of Community Colleges and from the Federal Department of Education.
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