[RTC List] SHLB Statement on BTOP Awards

[Sean McLaughlin]

Here's a statement released yesterday from colleagues with Schools
Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition (http://shlbc.org), which
Access Humboldt is an active member:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact: John Windhausen, coordinator

Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition

jwindhausen at telepoly.com; (202) 256-9616



Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) Coalition



Washington, December 17 – The Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband
Coalition (SHLB) Coalition, a group of schools, libraries, health care
providers and private sector companies promoting the deployment of
high-capacity broadband facilities to these anchor institutions,
released the following statement today in response to the White
House’s announcement of first round of Broadband Technology
Opportunities Program (BTOP) awards.



"The Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition is extremely
pleased that the Obama Administration has recognized the need for
community anchor institutions to have high-capacity broadband
connections,” John Windhausen, coordinator of the SHLB Coalition,
said.



“Today's funding awards reflect the urgent need for high-capacity
Internet access in our schools, libraries and health care
institutions.  The SHLB Coalition has demonstrated that building such
high-capacity connections will stimulate jobs and provide enormous
benefits to the entire community.  We are pleased to see that the
Obama Administration recognizes that funding long-lasting
high-capacity Middle Mile projects to anchor institutions is the most
efficient use of government dollars and the most effective way to spur
the deployment of broadband to all Americans, especially the most
vulnerable and disadvantaged."



The SHLB Coalition was formed on June 11, 2009, to support the
provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that
specifically call for improved access to broadband by community anchor
institutions. The SHLB Coalition works actively with the Obama
Administration, with Capitol Hill, and with the Federal Communications
Commission to formulate policies that will promote the availability of
broadband services to schools, libraries and health care clinics and
hospitals all across the country. More information on the coalition
can be found at: http://www.shlbc.org/.

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