Broadband Stimulus - rules released

Local advocate for “Digital Redwoods” offers comments on Federal rules
Access Humboldt joins national efforts for Broadband Media Access

Eureka, CA - In response to today’s release of Federal guidelines for rural broadband stimulus funding, Access Humboldt’s executive director Sean McLaughlin said: “We join with rural regions, local governments, and public interest collaborations around the country today in support of the Obama Administration’s vision to stimulate community based broadband media solutions.”

The “Notice of Funds Availability” for broadband stimulus funding is available online at:
http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/files/BB%20NOFA%20FINAL%20with%20di...

Access Humboldt is already providing broadband and media access services for public, education and government purposes – and also acting as a lead proponent for Digital Redwoods, a regional effort in partnership with Redwood Coast Rural Action, to develop community broadband deployment and adoption programs for the North Coast of California including Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino.

McLaughlin noted, “the Notices of Funds Availability released today are great news for our Digital Redwoods efforts on the North Coast of California. While there are some disappointments in the NOFA, we are encouraged to continue developing high-capacity broadband networks for public facilities such as schools, government offices, and libraries in our least served communities. By supporting collaborative solutions for these community anchor organizations, Federal funding can help local efforts, such as Digital Redwoods, to provide essential services for public safety, education and civic participation as people increasingly rely upon high-capacity broadband services to communicate.”

Access Humboldt previously submitted testimony to Federal agencies supporting: locally-owned infrastructure deployment; broadband media access to build demand; assistance in technology adoption across diverse communities; accurate data on service availability and adoption; and, transparent uniform federal and state policies.

Access Humboldt is an active member of several leading national efforts to advance local public, education and government interests, including: Internet for Everyone; Alliance for Community Media; Media and Democracy Coalition; Rural Internet and Broadband Policy Group; Alliance for Communications Democracy; National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, and the Schools Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition.

For information see: http://digitalredwoods.net , call Access Humboldt: 707-476-1798 or visit online at http://accesshumboldt.net

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KMUD news report http://www.asis.com/kmud/parchive/mp3/kmud_090702_180000newspm.mp3