Stimulus dollars may boost broadband in rural areas

Georgia is one of the few states proactively lining up projects to install high-speed Internet in rural and underserved parts of the state with the help of federal stimulus money, Georgia Technology Authority program director Rich Calhoun said this week.

The $787 billion federal stimulus package includes $7.2 billion to help bring broadband Internet to more of America.

Rich Wonders, a vice president with Alcatel-Lucent, recently was in Atlanta as part of the company’s push for businesses, nonprofits and governments to start working on projects that could qualify for the broadband funds.

Wonders said adding high-speed Internet is more than just adding technology. “Broadband brings with it jobs, it saves jobs, and it brings the ability to attract and retain industry,” he said.

The federal government hasn’t set specific project guidelines, but the state’s technology group has already set up a Web site (www.georgia broadband.net) for city and county governments, companies and nonprofits to post their ideas.

The site has 85 potential projects so far, ranging from wireless Internet access in public parks to adding broadband in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn and West End neighborhoods.

Calhoun said it’s not a requirement for states to proactively consider projects that could be backed by stimulus money, but he’s been told that Georgia is one of the few states that is doing so.

“I think, given what the aims of the stimulus is on broadband, with Georgia’s rural environment … they would be prime targets for federal resources,” Calhoun said.

The stimulus money, which will be used to offset the costs of installing high-speed Internet, is available from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the federal Rural Utilities Service. They are expected to take applications three times during the next year.