[OPLINTECH] News for those who applied for BTOP grants

[Stephen Hedges]

For those of you who submitted applications for broadband stimulus funds
under the BTOP program, I just found a news release that summarizes the
applications they received,
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/08/0409.xml

Here's one interesting (and a bit disturbing) quote:

"More than 360 applications were filed with NTIA requesting more than
$1.9 billion in grants from BTOP for public computer center projects,
which will expand access to broadband service and enhance broadband
capacity at public libraries, community colleges, and other institutions
that provide the benefits of broadband to the general public or specific
vulnerable populations. (The Recovery Act directs NTIA to make at least
$200 million available for expanding public computer center capacity, of
which up to $50 million is allocated in this first round of grants.)"

Wow.

Stephen