[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 47 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10716-10721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5411]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. 090309298-9299-01]


American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Broadband 
Initiatives

AGENCIES: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce; Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture.

ACTION: Joint request for information and notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: Section 6001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 
2009 (Recovery Act) requires the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration (NTIA) to establish the Broadband Technology 
Opportunities Program (BTOP). The Recovery Act further establishes 
authority for the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to make grants and 
loans for the deployment and construction of broadband systems. NTIA 
and RUS will hold a series of public meetings about the new programs 
beginning on March 16, 2009. In addition to the information received 
about the new programs during the public meetings, written comments 
will be accepted through April 13, 2009. Through this notice, guidance 
is provided as to the matters to be discussed at these public meetings 
and

[[Page 10717]]

the categories of information with respect to which interested parties 
may submit comments.

DATES: There will be a series of public meetings in Washington, DC on 
March 16, 19, 23 and 24, 2009. Field hearings will be held in other 
locations on March 17 and 18, 2009. These times and the agenda topics 
are subject to change. Please refer to NTIA's Web site, http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants or the RUS Web site http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html, for the most up-to-date meeting agenda. 
Additional meetings may be announced in the future. Comments will be 
received through April 13, 2009.
    Time and Place: The meetings on March 16, 19, 23, and 24, 2009 will 
begin at 10 a.m. and will take place at the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. The 
meetings on March 17 and 18, 2009, will be field hearings. The location 
and time of the field hearings on March 17 and 18 will be announced on 
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants and on http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html. Webcast and/or transcripts of all of 
the public meetings will be made available on NTIA's Web site.
    Times and locations are subject to change. Any changes will be 
announced on the NTIA Web site http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants 
or the RUS Web site http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information regarding the 
meetings, contact Barbara Brown at (202) 482-4374 or 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e18383938e968fa18f958880cf858e82cf868e97"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a2c0c0d0cdd5cce2ccd6cbc38cc6cdc18cc5cdd4">[email protected]</span></a>; Mary Campanola, USDA at (202) 720-8822 or 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ee838f9c97c08d8f839e8f8081828fae9b9d8a8fc0898198"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbd6dac9c295d8dad6cbdad5d4d7dafbcec8dfda95dcd4cd">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 6001 of the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) requires the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in 
consultation with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to 
establish the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The 
purposes of the BTOP include accelerating broadband deployment in 
unserved and underserved areas and ensuring that strategic institutions 
that are likely to create jobs or provide significant public benefits 
have broadband connections. The Recovery Act also establishes authority 
for the RUS to make grants and loans for the deployment and 
construction of broadband systems. The purpose of the additional RUS 
broadband authority is to improve access to broadband areas without 
service or that lack sufficient access to high-speed broadband service 
to facilitate economic development. In order to facilitate the 
coordinated development of these programs, NTIA and RUS will host a 
series of public meetings related to the NTIA's and RUS' broadband 
Recovery Act activities beginning on March 16, 2009. These meetings are 
in addition to the Joint Meeting to be held on March 10, 2009 at the 
Department of Commerce.\1\ FCC representatives will participate in the 
public meetings related to the FCC's mission. The public meetings will 
be organized around key program themes, including but not limited to 
the definitions to be adopted, the role of the states in the grants 
process, the relationship of BTOP to the RUS loan and grant program and 
other Recovery Act programs, the grant selection criteria, the role of 
for-profit providers as potential grant recipients, and other topics.
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    \1\ Joint Notice of Public Meeting, 38 FR 8914 (Feb. 27, 2009).
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    Matters To Be Considered: Information is being sought on the 
following topics. Aspects of some of these topics will be discussed at 
the public meetings. Interested parties are invited to attend the 
meetings and to submit comments for the record on these topics to 
assist NTIA in establishing and administering BTOP and RUS in 
implementing its expanded authority. Comments addressing specific 
agency questions may be used by either agency in formulating its 
respective programs. Comments will be received through April 13, 2009.

NTIA

    1. The Purposes of the Grant Program: Section 6001 of the Recovery 
Act establishes five purposes for the BTOP grant program.\2\
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    \2\ Section 6001(b) states that the purposes of the program are 
to--
    (1) Provide access to broadband service to consumers residing in 
unserved areas of the United States;
    (2) provide improved access to broadband service to consumers 
residing in underserved areas of the United States;
    (3) provide broadband education, awareness, training, access, 
equipment, and support to--
    (A) Schools, libraries, medical and healthcare providers, 
community colleges, and other institutions of higher education, and 
other community support organizations and entities to facilitate 
greater use of broadband service by or through these organizations;
    (B) organizations and agencies that provide outreach, access, 
equipment, and support services to facilitate greater use of 
broadband service by low-income, unemployed, aged, and otherwise 
vulnerable populations; and
    (C) job-creating strategic facilities located within a State-
designated economic zone, Economic Development District designated 
by the Department of Commerce, Renewal Community or Empowerment Zone 
designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or 
Enterprise Community designated by the Department of Agriculture;
    (4) improve access to, and use, of broadband service by public 
safety agencies; and
    (5) stimulate the demand for broadband, economic growth, and job 
creation.
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    a. Should a certain percentage of grant funds be apportioned to 
each category?
    b. Should applicants be encouraged to address more than one 
purpose?
    c. How should the BTOP leverage or respond to the other broadband-
related portions of the Recovery Act, including the United States 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants and loans program as well as 
the portions of the Recovery Act that address smart grids, health 
information technology, education, and transportation infrastructure?
    2. The Role of the States: The Recovery Act states that NTIA may 
consult the States (including the District of Columbia, territories, 
and possessions) with respect to various aspects of the BTOP.\3\ The 
Recovery Act also requires that, to the extent practical, the BTOP 
award at least one grant to every State.\4\
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    \3\ Section 6001(c) states that the Assistant Secretary may 
consult a State, the District of Columbia, or territory or 
possession of the United States with respect to--
    (1) The identification of areas described in subsection (b)(1) 
or (2) located in that State; and
    (2) the allocation of grant funds within that State for projects 
in or affecting the State.
    \4\ Section 6001(h)(1).
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    a. How should the grant program consider State priorities in 
awarding grants?
    b. What is the appropriate role for States in selecting projects 
for funding?
    c. How should NTIA resolve differences among groups or 
constituencies within a State in establishing priorities for funding?
    d. How should NTIA ensure that projects proposed by States are 
well-executed and produce worthwhile and measurable results?
    3. Eligible Grant Recipients: The Recovery Act establishes entities 
that are eligible for a grant under the program.\5\ The Recovery Act 
requires

[[Page 10718]]

NTIA to determine by rule whether it is in the public interest that 
entities other than those listed in Section 6001(e)(1)(A) and (B) 
should be eligible for grant awards. What standard should NTIA apply to 
determine whether it is in the public interest that entities other than 
those described in Section 6001(e)(1)(A) and (B) should be eligible for 
grant awards?
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    \5\ Section 6001(e) states that eligible applicants shall--
    (1)(A) Be a State or political subdivision thereof, the District 
of Columbia, a territory or possession of the United States, an 
Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450(b)) or 
native Hawaiian organization;
    (B) a nonprofit--
    (i) foundation,
    (ii) corporation,
    (iii) institution, or
    (iv) association; or
    (C) any other entity, including a broadband service or 
infrastructure provider, that the Assistant Secretary finds by rule 
to be in the public interest. In establishing such rule, the 
Assistant Secretary shall to the extent practicable promote the 
purposes of this section in a technologically neutral manner * * *.
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    4. Establishing Selection Criteria for Grant Awards: The Recovery 
Act establishes several considerations for awarding grants under the 
BTOP.\6\ In addition to these considerations, NTIA may consider other 
priorities in selecting competitive grants.
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    \6\ Section 6001(h) states that NTIA, in awarding grants, shall, 
to the extent practical--
    (2) Consider whether an application to deploy infrastructure in 
an area--
    a. Will, if approved, increase the affordability of, and 
subscribership to, service to the greatest population of users in 
the area;
    b. will, if approved, provide the greatest broadband speed 
possible to the greatest population of users in the area;
    c. will, if approved, enhance service for health care delivery, 
education, or children to the greatest population of users in the 
area; and
    d. will, if approved, not result in unjust enrichment as a 
result of support for non-recurring costs through another Federal 
program for service in the area;
    (3) consider whether the applicant is a socially and 
economically disadvantaged small business concern as defined under 
section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637).
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    a. What factors should NTIA consider in establishing selection 
criteria for grant awards? How can NTIA determine that a Federal 
funding need exists and that private investment is not displaced? How 
should the long-term feasibility of the investment be judged?
    b. What should the weighting of these criteria be in determining 
consideration for grant and loan awards?
    c. How should the BTOP prioritize proposals that serve underserved 
or unserved areas? Should the BTOP consider USDA broadband grant awards 
and loans in establishing these priorities?
    d. Should priority be given to proposals that leverage other 
Recovery Act projects?
    e. Should priority be given to proposals that address several 
purposes, serve several of the populations identified in the Recovery 
Act, or provide service to different types of areas?
    f. What factors should be given priority in determining whether 
proposals will encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service?
    g. Should the fact that different technologies can provide 
different service characteristics, such as speed and use of dedicated 
or shared links, be considered given the statute's direction that, to 
the extent practicable, the purposes of the statute should be promoted 
in a technologically neutral fashion?
    h. What role, if any, should retail price play in the grant 
program?
    5. Grant Mechanics: The Recovery Act requires all agencies to 
distribute funds efficiently and fund projects that would not receive 
investment otherwise.
    a. What mechanisms for distributing stimulus funds should be used 
by NTIA and USDA in addition to traditional grant and loan programs?
    b. How would these mechanisms address shortcomings, if any, in 
traditional grant or loan mechanisms in the context of the Recovery 
Act?
    6. Grants for Expanding Public Computer Center Capacity: The 
Recovery Act directs that not less than $200,000,000 of the BTOP shall 
be awarded for grants that expand public computer center capacity, 
including at community colleges and public libraries.
    a. What selection criteria should be applied to ensure the success 
of this aspect of the program?
    b. What additional institutions other than community colleges and 
public libraries should be considered as eligible recipients under this 
program?
    7. Grants for Innovative Programs to Encourage Sustainable Adoption 
of Broadband Service: The Recovery Act directs that not less than 
$250,000,000 of the BTOP shall be awarded for grants for innovative 
programs to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services.
    a. What selection criteria should be applied to ensure the success 
of this program?
    b. What measures should be used to determine whether such 
innovative programs have succeeded in creating sustainable adoption of 
broadband services?
    8. Broadband Mapping: The Recovery Act directs NTIA to establish a 
comprehensive nationwide inventory map of existing broadband service 
capability and availability in the United States that depicts the 
geographic extent to which broadband service capability is deployed and 
available from a commercial provider or public provider throughout each 
State.\7\
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    \7\ Section 6001(l).
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    a. What uses should such a map be capable of serving?
    b. What specific information should the broadband map contain, and 
should the map provide different types of information to different 
users (e.g., consumers versus governmental entities)?
    c. At what level of geographic or other granularity should the 
broadband map provide information on broadband service?
    d. What other factors should NTIA take into consideration in 
fulfilling the requirements of the Broadband Data Improvement Act, 
Public Law 110-385 (2008)?
    e. Are there State or other mapping programs that provide models 
for the statewide inventory grants?
    f. Specifically what information should states collect as 
conditions of receiving statewide inventory grants?
    g. What technical specifications should be required of State 
grantees to ensure that statewide inventory maps can be efficiently 
rolled up into a searchable national broadband database to be made 
available on NTIA's Web site no later than February 2011?
    h. Should other conditions attach to statewide inventory grants?
    i. What information, other than statewide inventory information, 
should populate the comprehensive nationwide map?
    j. The Recovery Act and the Broadband Data Improvement Act (BDIA) 
imposes duties on both NTIA and FCC concerning the collection of 
broadband data. Given the statutory requirements of the Recovery Act 
and the BDIA, how should NTIA and FCC best work together to meet these 
requirements?
    9. Financial Contributions by Grant Applicants: The Recovery Act 
requires that the Federal share of funding for any proposal may not 
exceed 80 percent of the total grant.\8\ The Recovery Act also requires 
that applicants demonstrate that their proposals would not have been 
implemented during the grant period without Federal assistance.\9\ The 
Recovery Act allows for an increase in the Federal share beyond 80 
percent if the applicant petitions NTIA and demonstrates financial 
need.
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    \8\ Section 6001(f).
    \9\ Section 6001(e)(3).
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    a. What factors should an applicant show to establish the 
``financial need'' necessary to receive more than 80 percent of a 
project's cost in grant funds?
    b. What factors should the NTIA apply in deciding that a particular 
proposal should receive less than an 80 percent Federal share?

[[Page 10719]]

    c. What showing should be necessary to demonstrate that the 
proposal would not have been implemented without Federal assistance?
    10. Timely Completion of Proposals: The Recovery Act states that 
NTIA shall establish the BTOP as expeditiously as practicable, ensure 
that all awards are made before the end of fiscal year 2010, and seek 
assurances from grantees that projects supported by the programs will 
be substantially completed within two (2) years following an award.\10\ 
The Recovery Act also requires that grant recipients report quarterly 
on the recipient's use of grant funds and the grant recipient's 
progress in fulfilling the objectives of the grant proposal.\11\ The 
Recovery Act permits NTIA to de-obligate awards to grant recipients 
that demonstrate an insufficient level of performance, or wasteful or 
fraudulent spending (as defined by NTIA in advance), and award these 
funds to new or existing applicants.\12\
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    \10\ Section 6001(d).
    \11\ Section 6001(i)(1).
    \12\ Section 6001(i)(4).
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    a. What is the most efficient, effective, and fair way to carry out 
the requirement that the BTOP be established expeditiously and that 
awards be made before the end of fiscal year 2010?
    b. What elements should be included in the application to ensure 
the projects can be completed within two (2) years (e.g., timelines, 
milestones, letters of agreement with partners)?
    11. Reporting and Deobligation: The Recovery Act also requires that 
grant recipients report quarterly on the recipient's use of grant funds 
and progress in fulfilling the objectives of the grant proposal.\13\ 
The Recovery Act permits NTIA to de-obligate funds for grant awards 
that demonstrate an insufficient level of performance, or wasteful or 
fraudulent spending (as defined by NTIA in advance), and award these 
funds to new or existing applicants.\14\
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    \13\ Section 6001(i)(1).
    \14\ Section 6001(i)(4).
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    a. How should NTIA define wasteful or fraudulent spending for 
purposes of the grant program?
    b. How should NTIA determine that performance is at an 
``insufficient level?''
    c. If such spending is detected, what actions should NTIA take to 
ensure effective use of investments made and remaining funding?
    12. Coordination with USDA's Broadband Grant Program: The Recovery 
Act directs USDA's Rural Development Office to distribute $2.5 billion 
dollars in loans, loan guarantees, and grants for broadband deployment. 
The stated focus of the USDA's program is economic development in rural 
areas. NTIA has broad authority in its grant program to award grants 
throughout the United States. Although the two programs have different 
statutory structures, the programs have many similar purposes, namely 
the promotion of economic development based on deployment of broadband 
service and technologies.
    a. What specific programmatic elements should both agencies adopt 
to ensure that grant funds are utilized in the most effective and 
efficient manner?
    b. In cases where proposals encompass both rural and non-rural 
areas, what programmatic elements should the agencies establish to 
ensure that worthy projects are funded by one or both programs in the 
most cost effective manner without unjustly enriching the applicant(s)?
    13. Definitions: The Conference Report on the Recovery Act states 
that NTIA should consult with the FCC on defining the terms ``unserved 
area,'' ``underserved area,'' and ``broadband.'' \15\ The Recovery Act 
also requires that NTIA shall, in coordination with the FCC, publish 
nondiscrimination and network interconnection obligations that shall be 
contractual conditions of grant awards, including, at a minimum, 
adherence to the principles contained in the FCC's broadband policy 
statement (FCC 05-15, adopted August 5, 2005).\16\
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    \15\ H.R. Rep. No. 111-16, at 776 (2009) (Conf. Rep.).
    \16\ Section 6001(j).
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    a. For purposes of the BTOP, how should NTIA, in consultation with 
the FCC, define the terms ``unserved area'' and ``underserved area?''
    b. How should the BTOP define ``broadband service?''
    (1) Should the BTOP establish threshold transmission speeds for 
purposes of analyzing whether an area is ``unserved'' or 
``underserved'' and prioritizing grant awards? Should thresholds be 
rigid or flexible?
    (2) Should the BTOP establish different threshold speeds for 
different technology platforms?
    (3) What should any such threshold speed(s) be, and how should they 
be measured and evaluated (e.g., advertised speed, average speed, 
typical speed, maximum speed)?
    (4) Should the threshold speeds be symmetrical or asymmetrical?
    (5) How should the BTOP consider the impacts of the use of shared 
facilities by service providers and of network congestion?
    c. How should the BTOP define the nondiscrimination and network 
interconnection obligations that will be contractual conditions of 
grants awarded under Section 6001?
    (1) In defining nondiscrimination obligations, what elements of 
network management techniques to be used by grantees, if any, should be 
described and permitted as a condition of any grant?
    (2) Should the network interconnection obligation be based on 
existing statutory schemes? If not, what should the interconnection 
obligation be?
    (3) Should there be different nondiscrimination and network 
interconnection standards for different technology platforms?
    (4) Should failure to abide by whatever obligations are established 
result in de-obligation of fund awards?
    (5) In the case of infrastructure paid for in whole or part by 
grant funds, should the obligations extend beyond the life of the grant 
and attach for the useable life of the infrastructure?
    d. Are there other terms in this section of the Recovery Act, such 
as ``community anchor institutions,'' that NTIA should define to ensure 
the success of the grant program? If so, what are those terms and how 
should those terms be defined, given the stated purposes of the 
Recovery Act?
    e. What role, if any, should retail price play in these 
definitions?
    14. Measuring the Success of the BTOP: The Recovery Act permits 
NTIA to establish additional reporting and information requirements for 
any recipient of grant program funds.
    a. What measurements can be used to determine whether an individual 
proposal has successfully complied with the statutory obligations and 
project timelines?
    b. Should applicants be required to report on a set of common data 
elements so that the relative success of individual proposals may be 
measured? If so, what should those elements be?
    15. Please provide comment on any other issues that NTIA should 
consider in creating BTOP within the confines of the statutory 
structure established by the Recovery Act.

RUS

    The provisions regarding the RUS Recovery Act broadband grant and 
loan activities are found in Division A, title I under the heading 
Rural Utilities Service, Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband 
Program of the Recovery Act.\17\
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    \17\ The text of this authority is as follows:
    DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND PROGRAM For an 
additional amount for the cost of broadband loans and loan 
guarantees, as authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
(7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) and for grants (including for technical 
assistance), $2,500,000,000: Provided, That the cost of direct and 
guaranteed loans shall be as defined in section 502 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That, 
notwithstanding title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 
this amount is available for grants, loans and loan guarantees for 
broadband infrastructure in any area of the United States: Provided 
further, That at least 75 percent of the area to be served by a 
project receiving funds from such grants, loans or loan guarantees 
shall be in a rural area without sufficient access to high speed 
broadband service to facilitate rural economic development, as 
determined by the Secretary of Agriculture: Provided further, That 
priority for awarding such funds shall be given to project 
applications for broadband systems that will deliver end users a 
choice of more than one service provider: Provided further, That 
priority for awarding funds made available under this paragraph 
shall be given to projects that provide service to the highest 
proportion of rural residents that do not have access to broadband 
service: Provided further, That priority shall be given for project 
applications from borrowers or former borrowers under title II of 
the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 and for project applications 
that include such borrowers or former borrowers: Provided further, 
That priority for awarding such funds shall be given to project 
applications that demonstrate that, if the application is approved, 
all project elements will be fully funded: Provided further, That 
priority for awarding such funds shall be given to project 
applications for activities that can be completed if the requested 
funds are provided: Provided further, That priority for awarding 
such funds shall be given to activities that can commence promptly 
following approval: Provided further, That no area of a project 
funded with amounts made available under this paragraph may receive 
funding to provide broadband service under the Broadband Technology 
Opportunities Program: Provided further, That the Secretary shall 
submit a report on planned spending and actual obligations 
describing the use of these funds not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and quarterly thereafter until all 
funds are obligated, to the Committees on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate.

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[[Page 10720]]

    1. What are the most effective ways RUS could offer broadband funds 
to ensure that rural residents that lack access to broadband will 
receive it?
    For a number of years, RUS has struggled to find an effective way 
to use the Agency's current broadband loan program to provide broadband 
access to rural residents that lack such access. RUS believes that the 
authority to provide grants as well as loans will give it the tools 
necessary to achieve that goal. RUS is looking for suggestions as to 
the best ways to:
    a. Bundle loan and grant funding options to ensure such access is 
provided in the projects funded under the Recovery Act to areas that 
could not traditionally afford the investment;
    b. Promote leveraging of Recovery Act funding with private 
investment that ensures project viability and future sustainability; 
and
    c. Ensure that Recovery Funding is targeted to unserved areas that 
stand to benefit the most from this funding opportunity.
    2. In what ways can RUS and NTIA best align their Recovery Act 
broadband activities to make the most efficient and effective use of 
the Recovery Act broadband funds?
    In the Recovery Act, Congress provided funding and authorities to 
both RUS and the NTIA to expand the development of broadband throughout 
the country. Taking into account the authorities and limitations 
provided in the Recovery Act, RUS is looking for suggestions as to how 
both agencies can conduct their Recovery Act broadband activities so as 
to foster effective broadband development. For instance:
    (a) RUS is charged with ensuring that 75 percent of the area is 
rural and without sufficient access needed for economic development. 
How should this definition be reconciled with the NTIA definitions of 
``unserved'' and ``underserved?''
    (b) How should the agencies structure their eligibility 
requirements and other programmatic elements to ensure that applicants 
that desire to seek funding from both agencies (i) do not receive 
duplicate resources and (ii) are not hampered in their ability to apply 
for funds from both agencies?
    3. How should RUS evaluate whether a particular level of broadband 
access and service is needed to facilitate economic development?
    Seventy-five percent of an area to be funded under the Recovery Act 
must be in an area that USDA determines lacks sufficient ``high speed 
broadband service to facilitate rural economic development.'' RUS is 
seeking suggestions as to the factors it should use to make such 
determinations.
    (a) How should RUS define ``rural economic development?'' What 
factors should be considered, in terms of job growth, sustainability, 
and other economic and socio-economic benefits?
    (b) What speeds are needed to facilitate ``economic development?'' 
What does ``high speed broadband service'' mean?
    (c) What factors should be considered, when creating economic 
development incentives, in constructing facilities in areas outside the 
seventy-five percent area that is rural (i.e., within an area that is 
less than 25 percent rural)?
    4. In further evaluating projects, RUS must consider the priorities 
listed below. What value should be assigned to those factors in 
selecting applications? What additional priorities should be considered 
by RUS?
    Priorities have been assigned to projects that will: (1) Give end-
users a choice of Internet service providers, (2) serve the highest 
proportion of rural residents that lack access to broadband service, 
(3) be projects of current and former RUS borrowers, and (4) be fully 
funded and ready to start once they receive funding under the Recovery 
Act.
    5. What benchmarks should RUS use to determine the success of its 
Recovery Act broadband activities?
    The Recovery Act gives RUS new tools to expand the availability of 
broadband in rural America. RUS is seeking suggestions regarding how it 
can measure the effectiveness of its funding programs under the 
Recovery Act. Factors to consider include, but are not limited to:
    a. Businesses and residences with ``first-time'' access.
    b. Critical facilities provided new and/or improved service:
    i. Educational institutions.
    ii. Healthcare providers.
    iii. Public service/safety.
    c. Businesses created or saved.
    d. Job retention and/or creation.
    e. Decline in unemployment rates.
    f. State, local, community support.
    Status: Interested parties are invited to attend the public 
meetings and to submit written comments. Written comments that exceed 
five pages should include a one-page executive summary. Submissions 
containing ten (10) or more pages of text must include a table of 
contents and an executive summary. NTIA will coordinate the reception 
of written comments for both RUS and NTIA programs. Interested parties 
are permitted to file comments electronically via e-mail to 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#82c0d6cdd2c2ecf6ebe3ace6ede1ace5edf4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="47051308170729332e266923282469202831">[email protected]</span></a>. Parties are strongly encouraged to make electronic 
submissions of documents containing ten (10) or more pages. Comments 
provided via e-mail may be submitted in one or more of the formats 
specified below. Comments may be filed with NTIA through April 13, 
2009.
    Paper comments should be sent to: Broadband Technology 
Opportunities Program, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4812, 1401 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. Please note that all 
material sent via the U. S. Postal Service (including ``Overnight'' or 
``Express Mail'') is subject to delivery delays of up to two weeks due 
to mail security procedures. All written comments received will be 
posted on the NTIA Web site at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants.
    Paper submissions should also include a CD or DVD in HTML, ASCII, 
Word or WordPerfect format (please specify version). CDs or DVDs should 
be labeled with the name and organizational affiliation of the filer, 
and

[[Page 10721]]

the name of the word processing program used to create the document.
    Because of space limitation, attendance at the meeting will be 
determined on a first-come, first-served basis. The meeting will be 
physically accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals 
requiring special services, such as sign language interpretation or 
other ancillary aids, are asked to indicate this to Barbara Brown, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d4f4f5f425a436d4359444c0349424e034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="600202120f170e200e1409014e040f034e070f16">[email protected]</span></a> at least two (2) days prior to the meeting. Members 
of the public will have an opportunity to provide comment at the 
meetings, time permitting.

    Dated: Monday, March 9, 2009.
Bernadette McGuire-Rivera,
Associate Administrator, Office of Telecommunications and Information 
Applications.
David P. Grahn,
Associate General Counsel, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. E9-5411 Filed 3-9-09; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P


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