Washington State Gets $84 Million in Broadband Stimulus

Grants to go toward community anchor institutions

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/1/2010 2:41:13 PM

Washington State is the latest to get broadband stimulus money from the National Telecommunication and Information Administration.

NTIA said Monday (March 1) it would give out $84 million in grants for community anchor institutions including schools, libraries and government buildings.

NTIA is focusing on those institutions as ways to drive adoption and deployment.

The Washington State grant will provide an additional 830 miles of fiber backbone and new microwave sites. Among the newly-connected areas will be a number of tribal centers and clinics.

That announcement comes a day before FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is scheduled to talk to the National Congress of American Indians about the national broadband plans' proposals for improving access and adoption on tribal lands.

NTIA and the Department of Agriculture together are giving out $7.2 billion in broadband stimulus funds. The Washington State grant is projected to create almost 2,000 jobs, according to Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).

NTIA is accepting bids through March 15 for a second round of funding.