ARRA-Commerce

General Information

September 2009 Reporting Requirements Guidance The Department of Commerce has released specific guidance on estimating jobs for the Section 1512 recipient reporting requirements. The guidance is available at: http://recovery.commerce.gov/JobCreationGuidance

Economic Development Assistance

January 26, 2011: EDA Releases FY 2010 Community Trade Adjustment Assistance (CTAA) Report The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) released findings from the FY 2010 CTAA annual performance report, which provides a detailed description of each grant awarded in FY 2010 under ARRA. Click here for EDA’s report: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-01-26/pdf/2011-1585.pdf

EDA also released the annual report for the FY 2010 Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) Program: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-01-26/pdf/2011-1583.pdf

EDA Announced Nearly $37 Million Available in Community Trade Adjustment Assistance
On January 11, 2010, the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced in the Federal Register that nearly $37 million in grants is available to help communities suffering from the adverse effects of import competition develop ways to more effectively compete in the global economy. The funding is available under EDA's Community Trade Adjustment Assistance (Community TAA) Program, which was created in ARRA. The deadline for the submission of full applications for grant assistance is April 20, 2010.

The notice published in the Federal Register may be viewed at:   http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-273.pdf  

The Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement detailing eligibility and application requirements may be viewed on EDA's website at: http://www.eda.gov/PDF/CommunityTAAFFOFINAL2.pdf

In addition, applicants can visit: http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/CommunityTAA.xml for complete and updated information on the program.

Economic Development Grants The Department of Commerce released guidelines for $150 million in competitive grants, of which $50 million is set aside for economic adjustment assistance, under the Economic Development Assistance Program. The guidelines can be accessed at: http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY09 ARRA FFO FINAL.pdf

Community Development Competitive Grants The Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, announced an ongoing competitive grant solicitation to promote the competitiveness of regions and increase higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in regions that have experienced sudden and severe economic dislocation and job loss as a result of corporate restructuring. Funding priorities include leveraged partnerships  under the Department of Labor's Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative and BRAC-affected communities transitioning from a military to civilian economy:  http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY09ARRAFFOFINAL.pdf

Bond Programs

The Treasury Department released "how-to" guidance on the stimulus law's new taxable Build America Bond and Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond programs, as well as allocations for the qualified zone academy bond and qualified school construction bond tax-credit programs. This information can be found at: http://www.irs.gov/taxexemptbond/article/0,,id=206034,00.html

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program

December 22, 2011: NTIA Releases Quarterly Report on Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released the FY 2011 fourth-quarter report on BTOP activities. To read the report, click here: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/btop-quarterly-congressional-report-dec-2011.pdf

February 17, 2011: FCC and NTIA Unveil National Broadband Map
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released the National Broadband Map that details the availability, speed, and location of broadband services at the census block level. Required under ARRA, the map is a tool to search, analyze, and map broadband availability across the nation. Each state and territory received ARRA broadband mapping funds to collect the data. To view the map and data, please go to: http://www.broadbandmap.gov/

February 10, 2011: GAO Provides Testimony on Risks to Oversight Within ARRA Broadband Programs
GAO released testimony related to the oversight of the approximately $7.5 billion in broadband grants under ARRA. GAO makes several recommendations for improving the oversight of projects being funded through these programs. Click here to access the report: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11371t.pdf

December 14, 2010: NTIA Releases BTOP Grant Awards Overview Report
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released the following report on ARRA that contains statistical information about the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), including where to find information about all projects awarded: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/reports/2010/NTIA_Report_on_BTOP_12142010.pdf

November 17, 2010: NTIA submits November 2010 Quarterly Status Report on BTOP to Congress
  Pursuant to ARRA, the Department of Commerce’s NTIA provides a quarterly report on the status of BTOP. Click here to view the latest report:  http://www.ntia.doc.gov/recovery/BTOP/BTOP_QuarterlyReport_11172010.pdf

September 27, 2010: Commerce Announces Investments to Expand Broadband Internet Access The Department of Commerce’s NTIA announced 14 ARRA investments in broadband technology expansion. Totaling $206.8 million, the grants are the final awards in a program to increase broadband Internet access and adoption. Click here for more information: http://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2010/09/27/secretary-locke-announces-recovery-act-investments-expand-broadband-i

September 27, 2010: NTIA  Announces Final BTOP And State Broadband Data Development Awards NTIA announced 56 investments totaling $190 million in broadband investments. These are the final awards in the State Broadband Data and Development (SBDD) grant program, funded by ARRA. Click here for additional details:  http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2010/BTOP_SBDD_09272010.html

August 18, 2010: Commerce and USDA Announce ARRA Investments in Broadband Projects
The Department of Commerce's NTIA and the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service announced 94 ARRA investments in broadband projects in 37 states. Click here for more details:  http://tinyurl.com/28fo6ql

July 7, 2010: Commerce Announces Second Round ARRA BTOP Grants The Department of Commerce announced $404 million in round two grants for BTOP. For more information, including awards by state, click here: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2010/07022010BTOP_Round2.html

June 10, 2010: BTOP Grant Reporting Templates Posted Commerce’s NTIA has posted grant reporting templates for the BTOP. These templates have been posted under Grants Management/BTOP Reporting section for easy reference. Click here for more information: http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/btopreporting

May 13, 2010: BTOP Applications Re-opened for States Granted Waivers to Develop Interoperable Broadband Networks Commerce's National NTIA announced the re-opening of the second round BTOP infrastructure application window for the 21 state and local governments granted waivers by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to develop a nationwide interoperable broadband network. 

View the announcement here: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2010/FR_BTOPApplicationReopening_05132010.pdf

For more information about the FCC grant waivers, please go to: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-298124A1.pdf

May 6, 2010: NTIA Posts State Comments on ARRA BTOP Grant Awards NTIA has posted state comments on geographic areas and BTOP applications that should receive priority when NTIA makes BTOP Round Two grant awards. To view the state recommendations, please go to: http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/comments

April 26, 2010: Commerce Announces ARRA Investments to Expand Broadband Internet Access The Department of Commerce announced nine ARRA investments, totaling more than $114 million in grants, which will increase broadband access and adoption in more than a dozen states. This announcement completes round one of Commerce's ARRA broadband funding. Click here for more details:
http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_009172

April 16, 2010: NTIA Awards Nearly $30 Million in BTOP Grants The Commerce Department's NTIA announced awards of $28.6 million in Broadband Technology and Opportunities Program grants for Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. For more information, go to:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2010/BTOP_ARKSOKTX_04162010.html

April 7, 2010: NTIA Receives Applications for BTOP Round Two The Commerce Department's NTIA announced that it received 867 applications for the second round of its ARRA BTOP. Awards are expected to be made this summer. To view an online searchable database of BTOP applications, go to: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/applications/search.cfm

March 25, 2010: More BTOP Grants Announced The Department of Commerce announced more than $63 million in grants under BTOP. The grants will go to more than 12 states for the deployment of broadband infrastructure, public computer centers, and the adoption of broadband service. For a list of awards, see: http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_009047

March 16, 2010: FCC Unveils Broadband Plan The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will unveil the National Broadband Plan at its monthly meeting today and will deliver the plan to Congress. As directed by ARRA, the FCC developed the national strategy to ensure universal access to high-speed Internet technology, increase the availability of broadband technology, and advance national priorities in public safety, health care, energy, education, and civic engagement through broadband usage. To view the plan, go to: http://download.broadband.gov/plan/national-broadband-plan.pdf  

March 2, 2010: NTIA Extends Application Closing Deadline for Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (CCI) Projects NTIA announced that the closing deadline for the submission of applications for CCI projects under BTOP is extended until March 26, 2010. There are no changes to the application filing window for Public Computer Center (PCC) and Sustainable Broadband Adoption (SBA) projects. For more information, see: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2010/FR_BTOP_deadlineextension_03032010.pdf

March 2, 2010: 23 States Awarded More than $160 Million in Broadband Grants The Department of Commerce announced the award of ARRA BTOP grants for California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. To view the awards, go to: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2010/BTOPgrants_03022010.html

February 18, 2010: Commerce Announces Investments to Expand Broadband Internet Access The Department of Commerce announced ARRA grants to increase broadband access and adoption in 10 states, totaling $357 million. For more information, see: http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008930

February 17, 2010: $277 Million in Broadban Investments Commerce also announced $277 million in broadband investments in nine states. For that information, click here: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1RD?printable=true&contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/02/0068.xml

February 12, 2010: Guidance for Second Round BTOP Funding Posted NTIA has posted grants guidance for Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (CCI), Sustainable Broadband Adoption (SBA), and Public Computer Center (PCC) applications. NTIA posted grant guidance for the three project types in the second round Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for ARRA BTOP grants. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2010. For more information, see: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/

January 25, 2010: USDA Announces $310 Million for Rural Broadband Projects The USDA announced the selection of 14 broadband infrastructure projects that will receive $309.9 million in ARRA funding. For additional details, see: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1RD?printable=true&contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/01/0032.xml

January 22, 2010: Second Funding Round of BIP Announced The Rural Utility Service (RUS) released a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFAs) for the second funding rounds for the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). Applications will be accepted from February 16, 2010, to March 15, 2010. The BIP NOFA is available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-1099.pdf

January 15, 2010: Commerce's NTIA and USDA's RUS Announce $4.8 Billion for Broadband Infrastructure NTIA and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced a second round of funding for ARRA grants and loans to expand broadband access and adoption. The agencies also announced a series of public workshops nationwide to review and answer questions regarding the revised application process. To view the joint press release and workshop locations, go to: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2010/BTOP_BIP_NOFAII_100115.html

The BTOP NOFA can be viewed at: www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2010/FR_BTOPNOFA_100115.pdf

January 7, 2010: New Online Tool Available to Help Grant Seekers Find Partners The Commerce Department's NTIA and the USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced the launch of BroadbandMatch, a new online tool to facilitate partnerships among prospective applicants to the agencies broadband grant and loan programs. BroadbandMatch - http://match.broadbandusa.gov - allows potential applicants to find partners for broadband projects. For more information, see: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2010/BBMatch_20100107.html

December 17, 2009: First Round BTOP Grants Announced The administration announced a $183 million investment in 18 broadband projects benefiting 17 states, as part of BTOP authorized in ARRA. This funding has been matched by $46 million in public and private sector capital. Awards will continue to be announced from the first round application pool on a rolling basis into February 2010. To view the awards, see: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/vice-president-biden-kicks-72-billion-recovery-act-broadband-program

December 4, 2009: NTIA Seeking Public Comment on Information Collection NTIA posted a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on continuing and proposed information collection requirements for the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program, authorized under ARRA. To view the notice, see: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2009/FR_MappingProgram_PRANotice_091203.pdf

November 16, 2009: GAO Reports on Needed Action to Improve Implementation of Commerce and USDA Broadband Programs The Government Accountability Office released a report on the scheduling, staffing, and data challenges facing NTIA and RUS in implementing their broadband technology programs. The full report is available here: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d1080.pdf

November 16, 2009: Commerce and USDA Release Joint Request for Information on Broadband Programs The Department of Commerce's NTIA, along with USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS), issued a joint request for information seeking public comment on certain issues relating to the implementation of the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). Additional details are available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27359.pdf

October 5, 2009, First NTIA Grants Announced The Department of Commerce's NTIA announced that it awarded the first four grants under NTIA's State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program to fund activities in California, Indiana, North Carolina, and Vermont. For more information, see:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2009/BTOP_MappingAwards_091005.html

August 27, 2009: Funding Applications The Commerce Department's NTIA and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) have received almost 2,200 applications requesting nearly $28 billion in funding for proposed broadband projects reaching all 50 states and territories and the District of Columbia. This is the first round of ARRA funding aimed at expanding broadband access and adoption to help bridge the technological divide and create jobs building Internet infrastructure, with $4 billion available through loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations. For more information, see: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/08/0409.xml  

August 7, 2090: Notice Clarifying Info Collection Requirements NTIA released a notice clarifying the information collection requirements for the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program (Broadband Mapping Program), originally put forth in a July 1, 2009, Notice of Funds Availability. The notice can be found at: http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/broadband_mapping.htm

States have until August 14, 2009, to submit applications for the Broadband Mapping Program.

July 23, 2009: Broadband FAQs The Department of Commerce's NTIA and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) posted answers on their website to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding NTIA's BTOP and RUS' Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). Topics addressed include applying for funds, eligibility and matching, and the review and award process. Additional questions can be submitted directly to NTIA by e-mail at btop@ntia.doc.gov or by phone at (202) 482-2048, as the FAQ section will be updated. To view the FAQs section, go to: http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/files/BIP-BTOP_FAQ.pdf

July 1, 2009: Notice of Funds Availability NTIA at the Department of Commerce and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the Department of Agriculture jointly issued a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) and solicitation of applications for the broadband initiatives under ARRA - NTIA's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). Funded at $4.7 billion, BTOP provides competitive grants to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas, to enhance broadband capacity at public computer centers, and to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. Applications will be accepted between July 14 - August 14, 2009. More information is available at: http://www.broadbandusa.gov

July 1, 2009: Funding Availability for State Broadband Data Grant Program NTIA released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program. NTIA will provide competitive grants for projects that collect state-level broadband mapping data, develop state-level broadband maps, aid in the development and maintenance of a national map, and fund statewide initiatives directed at broadband planning. NTIA expects to make $240 million in ARRA funding available through this NOFA. A 20% non-federal match will be required.

The NOFA and fact sheet can be found at:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/index.html

June 24, 2009: Limited Waiver of ARRA Buy American Requirements NTIA released notice that the secretary of Commerce has granted a limited waiver of the Buy American Requirements of ARRA for certain equipment that will be used for BTOP. Additional information about the limited waiver can be found at:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2009/FR_BuyAmericanWaiver_090626.09.pdf

April 3, 2009: Commerce Inspector General Issues Recovery Act Flash Report on the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program ARRA authorized the Commerce Department's NTIA to implement the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program-a $4.7 billion one-time competitive matching grants program to expand broadband services to unserved and underserved areas, improve broadband access for public safety agencies, stimulate the economy and create jobs. The report describes these lessons learned and is the first in a series of timely advisory reports the Commerce OIG intends to issue on NTIA's administration of the Broadband Technology Opportunities program. http://www.recovery.gov/?q=node/316

Other Programs

April 2, 2009: DOC Creates Website for NTIA Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program and DTV Converter Box Program The TV Converter Box Coupon Program was established with $650 million in ARRA funds to allow NTIA to issue coupons to all households currently on the waiting list, to start mailing coupons via first class mail and to ensure vulnerable populations are prepared for the transition from analog-to-digital television transmission. http://www.recovery.gov/?q=node/315