Federal Stimulus Act contains $7.2 billion for Broadband Deployment
February 20, 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act approved in the House contains funds construction of water and wastewater systems, deployment of broadband in rural communities, and money for the renovation and modernization of local schools.
BOUCHER PRIORITIES FOR 9TH INCLUDED IN STIMULUS LEGISLATION
Press Release from Congressman Rick Boucher
(Washington, D.C.) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed and sent to the Senate a final version of economic stimulus legislation that contains the priorities sought for the Ninth congressional district by U.S. Representative Rick Boucher. The Senate is expected to pass the legislation over the weekend and send it to President Obama for his signature.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act approved in the House contains funds construction of water and wastewater systems, deployment of broadband in rural communities, and money for the renovation and modernization of local schools.
In December, Boucher originated a letter to the House leadership and the Obama transition team signed by 23 of his Colleagues in the House outlining the importance of funding for rural infrastructure in the stimulus package. "In December I urged that the needs of rural communities be addressed in the stimulus legislation, and the measure that was approved by the House today includes robust grant funding for broadband deployment, school improvement and water and wastewater projects," Boucher noted.
The measure approved by the House Friday includes a total of $7.2 billion to expand high speed Internet access through the deployment of broadband lines to unserved and underserved communities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service is receiving $2.5 billion, and the U.S. Department of Commerce is receiving $4.7 billion to deploy broadband services.
"As a result of this legislation, high speed Internet services can now be brought to many more Southwest Virginia communities, and I will be working closely with local leaders and the grant making agencies to attract these funds for deserving localities. Expanding Internet services in rural areas where they are not found today will pave the way for companies offering technology based jobs while also providing local entrepreneurs the opportunity to build new Internet-based businesses," Boucher explained.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes a total of $10.2 billion to assist local communities construct new water and wastewater systems. The measure includes $6.4 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency's water and wastewater programs including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the State Assistance Grant programs, which provide grants and loans to local communities to construct new water and wastewater systems. Additionally, the measure includes funding to support nearly $3.8 billion in grants and loans through the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program, which also assists communities in constructing new water and wastewater systems.
"Adequate and reliable water and wastewater systems are essential to maintaining Southwest Virginia's excellent quality of life and to achieving our economic development goals for the region. The funds in the stimulus for water and wastewater development will assist our ongoing work to expand water and wastewater systems throughout Southwest Virginia," Boucher continued.
The legislation also provides $8.8 billion to states for high priority needs such as improving public safety, and assisting communities with modernization, renovation and repairs of public school facilities and institutions of higher learning.
"By meeting the infrastructure needs of our communities, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will create jobs in the short term in our region as well as provide a solid foundation for long term economic growth in Southwest Virginia," Boucher concluded.
