[RTC List] Free Broadband Money

[William Van Hefner]

All,

Here's the latest on our tax dollars hard at work... Looks like some local
projects have been funded.



AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES $13.4 MILLION IN COMMUNITY CONNECT
BROADBAND GRANTS


WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today
announced the selection of 22 projects in 10 states to receive $13.4
million in broadband community connect grant funds.

"The Obama Administration recognizes that modern technology is critical to
the expansion of business, education, and health care services in rural
areas and the competitiveness of the nation's small towns and rural
communities," Vilsack said. "The President and USDA are committed to
bringing broadband services to communities, including isolated ones, so
rural residents have access to quality economic, social and educational
opportunities."

USDA Rural Development's Community Connect program provides financial
assistance to furnish broadband service in unserved, often isolated, rural
communities. The grants are used to establish broadband service for
critical facilities such as fire or police stations, while also providing
service to residents and businesses. The project must also include a
community center that provides community residents with free broadband
service for the first two years.

For example, the Yurok Tribe, located on a reservation along the northwest
coast of California has been selected to receive a $564,000 grant to
provide wireless broadband services to the Yurok Reservation. A community
center will be refurbished to provide free Internet access to tribal
residents, enabling them to participate in online education and training
programs. Free Internet access will also be provided to the tribal police
and volunteer fire departments.

Nexus Systems, Inc. was selected to receive a $924,308 grant to provide
wireless broadband services to Enterprise, La. The volunteer fire
department and the community center will receive free broadband service
for two years. Nexus Systems will also provide the community with
web-based services such as web hosting and video conferencing services for
public meetings.

USDA's Community Connect program is making a significant difference in
rural communities. In 2006, Alaska Power & Telephone Company received a
$1,031,133 grant to establish a wireless broadband system in the Native
community of Kasaan. Providing service to the remote, Southeast Alaska
community required the construction of an antenna system on a mountaintop.
The grant provided laptop computers and video conferencing services to the
community center. A server was installed so local residents could store
personal files. Prior to USDA's funding, the community was served by a
satellite link that severely limited telecommunications service. The new
wireless service has improved connectivity and attracted cellular
telephone companies who are putting in infrastructure for more dependable
mobile telephone service.

An August 2009 USDA Economic Research Service report supports the idea
that "investment in broadband Internet access leads to a more competitive
economy." The report, available at
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR78/ERR78.pdf , notes that rural
communities with broadband Internet access had greater economic growth
than communities without it. The study also finds that broadband use
fosters community involvement, enhances the provision of services such as
health and education and expands household income opportunities.

The following is a complete list of 2009 Community Connect broadband grant
recipients. Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient
meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. (Recipient communities in
parentheses)

Arkansas:

Buford Communications I, LP dba Alliance Communications Network - $681,070

(Rondo)

Buford Communications I, LP dba Alliance Communications Network - $735,020

(Aubrey)

Buford Communications I, LP dba Alliance Communications Network - $667,120

(LaGrange)

California:

ORCA Broadband Inc. - $550,950 (Hornbrook)

Yurok Tribe - $564,000 (Klamath)

Round Valley Indian Tribes of the Round Valley Indian Reservation - $474,886

(Covelo)

Colorado:

PC Telcorp, Inc. - $402,666 (Sedgwick)

Idaho:

Pend Oreille Valley Network, Inc. - $834,164 (Clark Fork)

Louisiana:

Nexus Systems, Inc. - $924,308 (Enterprise)

Missouri:

Turkeyfoot Construction, LLC, dba Lake Communications - $471,905

(Brownington)

New Mexico:

Agavue, LLC - $550,950 (Manzano)

Agavue, LLC - $550,950 (Los Cerrillos)

Oklahoma:

@Link Services, LLC - $535,998 (Shamrock)

@Link Services, LLC - $577,618 (Kildare)

3 Brothers Networks LLC - $223,417 (Marble City)

Wichita Online, Inc. - $597,000 (Cooperton)

Wichita Online, Inc. - $498,500 (Yeager)

Wichita Online, Inc. - $498,500 (Clearview)

Texas:

281 Communications Corporation, Inc. - $601,736 (Lometa)

Virginia:

Inter Mountain Cable, Inc. - $997,015 (Hurley)

The Wired Road Authority - $837,453 (Grant)

Techcore Consultants II, dba Almega Cable - $610,300 (Carbo)

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and
improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters
growth in homeownership, finances business development and supports the
creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further
information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural
Development office or by visiting
www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/commconnect.htm.



-- 
William Van Hefner - President
Vantek Communications, Inc.
e-mail: editor at humboldtonline.com
http://www.humboldtonline.com