New York City Urges Groups to Apply for Broadband Stimulus Funds

The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is intended to provide affordable broadband services to areas of the U.S. that are currently underserved, thus helping to close the digital divide. Financial help would also go to various institutions such as schools and health-care providers to allow for better educational and employment opportunities as well as enhanced service for health-care delivery.

New York City Councilwoman Gale Brewer is taking steps to alert the community and encourage local technology not-for-profit organizations to apply for federal technology funds. Organizations can contact Kunal Malhotra kmalhotra@council.nyc.gov and will be notified of any RFPs involving BTOP.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is administering the BTOP and is expected to release the rules and regulations in the upcoming Notice of Funds Availability (NoFA) by the end of June. For more details and information, a Webcast that aired June 4 is now available online.