FCC Chair Julius Genachowski addresses the Cleveland Community with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Ashbury Senior Computer Center Executive Director Wanda Davis looking on.
Broadband stimulus guidelines also announced
After kicking off the administration’s rural broadband stimulus with Vice President Joe Biden in Erie, Pa., the Secretary of Commerce and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman visited OneCommunity and Knight Center of Digital Excellence’s backyard July 1 to announce the availability of urban funds. The Federal Government’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) includes $7.2 billion in stimulus money.
Prior to the announcement, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and FCC Chair Julius Genachowski toured the Ashbury Senior Computer Center which is located in the heart of OneCommunity’s University Circle wireless network in downtown Cleveland. The center’s users shared how access to the Internet and the training provided has enhanced and changed their lives - creating job opportunities for many. The center was established to implement positive initiatives and provide empowering technology resources to inner-city residents (ages 45 and older). The Ashbury Center was chosen as the location for the press conference because it embodies the spirit of what the BTOP aims to achieve.
At the press conference, Locke made the official and long-anticipated announcement that the Federal Communications Commission is now open to receiving applications for the NTIA federal stimulus money. He emphasized not only that BTOP will create jobs in the near future - with work to be done to build a 21st-century infrastructure - but that broadband is a key component in President Obama’s vision of a prosperous America.
Genachowski emphasized that the FCC’s role with BTOP is to help get money out the door not only to create jobs near-term, but to provide a communications infrastructure that will bring the same educational, health care, and economic opportunities to all of our nation’s citizens. The chairman also stated that Congress and the president has asked the FCC to develop a national broadband strategy, a process they will be undertaking in the coming months with the feedback of interested parties being a key component in the crafting of this strategy.
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke emphasized that many of the programs delivered through OneCommunity in Northern Ohio will serve as an example for the Commerce Department’s work across the country. Locke also stated how important broadband is to the Obama administration, with pervasive high-speed availability laying the groundwork for a better future.
“Imagine a country where students can take classes from anywhere, where you can have access to world class doctors through the web,” said Locke. “Not only will this broadband initiative is put people to work immediately building the network, it will enhance the lives of our citizens by providing high speed access at a low cost to provide life-long learning.”
Locke gave a clear indication of the types of projects broadband stimulus dollars might be allocated.
“We’re really looking for those models that are sustainable, that will create a foundation for further economic growth as well as quality of life using high speed internet,” he said. “We want to promote grant proposals that will take care of both the underserved, as well and the unserved.”
Finally, Locke encouraged everyone to visit www.BroadbandUSA.gov for guidance on the $7.2 billion ARRA Broadband grants and loan programs. Here you will find a 121 page document but before you tackle it, we encourage you to review the Knight Center of Digital Excellence’s 5-page highlights document.
For audio of yesterday’s conference, click here.
