In June the (ERC) has been notified that the Nevada County Connected (NCC) wireless broadband Internet network project has been brought into the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Round 2 due diligence process. According the project web site:
The Round 2 application for NCC was submitted by the ERC on March 26 requesting $7.69 million in federal stimulus funding for the $11.1 million project within the Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (CCI) category under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). This stimulus funding is provided through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Nevada County Connected was recently included in Governor Schwarzenegger’s top 10 recommended CCI projects in Round 2, and has already received a California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) grant of $1.1 million — a 10% match predicated on the receipt of ARRA funding.
Today, the 2nd of July, 2010, President Obama will announce the funding of 66 projects to expand broadband connections in rural and poor areas across the country. The announcement will focus on grants and loans for "middle mile connections" to communities lacking broadband access and "last mile awards" to connect homes, hospitals and schools to their community's broadband infrastructure.
Given the middle mile focus of the grants and the nature of the Nevada County Connected project, there is a high probability that this is the beginning of a major economic development project for the Economic Resource Council. Stay Tuned.
Update #1(07-02-10,06:35) There are NO California projects on the list of 66 to be announced by the President! Is this the end, or will Nevada County Connected find another way!
Update #2 (07-02-10, 14.50) Here is a link to the USDA Press Release with details on the projects that won.
