Broadband stimulus update: RUS sends out rejection notices, will finish Round 1 awards this month

Despite recent delays, a spokesman from the Rural Utilities Services told Connected Planet today that notices are now on their way to applicants rejected for funding in Round 1 of the broadband stimulus program.

All remaining awards for Round 1 will be made by the end of February, the spokesman said. Applications from Round 1 will not be carried forward to Round 2, although some funds could be, he said.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the National Telecommunications and Information Agency, the other government agency awarding funds, told Connected Planet that it would finish awarding funds from Round 1 in “the coming weeks.” The NTIA already sent out rejection notices from Round 1.

Both agencies began accepting applications for Round 2 funds, which will be administered under different guidelines this week. Organizations seeking funds have until March 15 to apply.

As of early this week only about 15% of funds from Round 1 had been awarded.

The RUS spokesman said organizations whose Round 1 applications are still pending are free to apply in Round 2 while awaiting Round 1 results. Also asked about organizations with applications still pending in Round 1, the NTIA spokeswoman said “all interested parties” are welcome to apply in Round 2.