The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it has awarded grants to fund broadband mapping and planning activities in Alabama, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming under NTIA’s State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program. The program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will increase broadband access and adoption through better data collection and broadband planning. The data will be displayed in NTIA’s national broadband map, a tool that will inform policymakers' efforts and provide consumers with improved information on the broadband Internet services available to them.

NTIA received applications representing all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia to participate in the program, meaning that all governments that were eligible to apply for grants did so, whether directly or through a designated entity. The first eight grants under this program were announced last month and the agency expects to continue announcing awards on a rolling basis throughout the fall.

"This program will advance efforts to expand broadband access and adoption nationwide, which is vital to job creation and economic recovery," said Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling. "NTIA will continue to provide guidance to applicants where necessary to help them improve their proposed projects, so that all states and territories can soon participate in this initiative."

Alabama: NTIA has awarded the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) approximately $1.4 M for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and approximately $463,000 for broadband planning activities over a two-year period in Alabama, bringing the total grant award to almost $1.9 M. ADECA the designated entity for the state of Alabama.

Idaho: NTIA has awarded the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology approximately $1.3 M for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and approximately $492,000 for broadband planning activities over a three-year period in Idaho, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.8 million. The Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology, a private nonprofit center, is the designated entity for the state of Idaho.

Maryland: NTIA has awarded the Maryland Broadband Cooperative Inc. (MDBC) approximately $1.5 M for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $480,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Maryland, bringing the total grant award to approximately $2 M. MDBC is the designated entity for the state of Maryland.

Massachusetts: NTIA has awarded the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) over $1.5 M for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Massachusetts, bringing the total grant award to approximately $2 M. MBI is the designated entity for the state of Massachusetts.

Washington: NTIA has awarded the Washington State Department of Information Services (DIS) approximately $1.7 M for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a two-year period in Washington, bringing the total grant award to approximately $2.2 M. DIS is the designated entity for the state of Washington.

Wisconsin: NTIA has awarded the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) approximately $1.2 M for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and approximately $485,000 for broadband planning activities over a three-year period in Wisconsin, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.7 M. PSC is the designated entity for the state of Wisconsin.

Wyoming: NTIA has awarded the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology approximately $1.3 M for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a three-year period in Wyoming, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.8 M. The Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology is the designated entity for the state of Wyoming.

Awardees will collect and verify the availability, speed and location of broadband across the state. This activity is to be conducted on a semi-annual basis between 2009 and 2011, with the data to be presented in a clear and accessible format to the public, government and the research community. For more information about the NTIA, visit www.ntia.doc.gov.