Vermont Governor on ARRA Broadband Funding

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Governor Douglas and Vermont’s Congressional Delegation Urge Vice President Biden to Expedite ARRA Broadband and SmartGrid Funding

June 15, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas, U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and U.S. Representative Peter Welch today released a letter sent to Vice President Joe Biden highlighting a proposal put forward by the Vermont Recovery Office and urging him to expedite ARRA broadband and SmartGrid funding.

The letter stems from concerns with the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service’s (RUS) recent announcement that ARRA broadband funding may not be awarded to states until December 2009. The timing will prevent northern states like Vermont from being able to use the money during this construction season.

“Vermont is ready with the infrastructure and commitment to deploy these dollars quickly and effectively,” said Governor Douglas. “I want to thank Vice President Biden for his hard work and commitment to ensuring that ARRA dollars are spent wisely. I am very concerned, however, that this delay prevents us from putting Vermonters to work with broadband and Smart Grid projects this year. The continued uncertainty over how much funding will be available for what projects is actually slowing projects which Vermont telecommunications providers including the Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) would have moved forward on were there no prospect of federal funds”

“Vermonters are poised to compete for the recovery bill’s broadband and Smart Grid infrastructure funding, and these investments could become one of the silver linings on the dark clouds of this recession,” said Leahy. “The funds will put talented information technology professionals to work right away by investing in the critical telecommunications backbone that helps make America's economy so strong. Along with getting these funds out the door quickly, we must ensure that the funds are spent wisely – putting more Americans online, getting cell coverage to more Americans and especially reaching rural Americans left off the information superhighway.”

“Bringing high speed Internet to all of Vermont is necessary if all of Vermont is to participate in the 21st century economy, and if our schools and libraries are to be equipped for the new possibilities ahead. Installing high speed internet itself will create jobs in Vermont as the networks expand, while broader access will help Vermont businesses to connect to broader markets. With solid plans already in place, Vermont is ready to expand broadband right away, so I look forward to working together with the Obama Administration to get this funding out the door as soon as possible,” said Sanders.

“I am pleased that these important projects were included in the ARRA,” Welch said. “I hope that these much needed jobs and long awaited infrastructure improvements can be delivered in time for this year’s construction season.”

The letter also urges the federal government to use a “rolling application” process to further expedite the approval and granting of funds.

Governor Douglas proposed the VTA as a key part of his e-state strategy to make broadband and cellular service available everywhere in Vermont; the legislature overwhelming passed the proposal including $40 million of revenue bonding authority which can now be used as a match for federal stimulus funds – once those funds are actually available. With the encouragement of the Congressional Delegation and under the sponsorship of the Vermont Department of Public Service and the Office of Economic Stimulus and Recovery, both Vermont telecommunications providers and Vermont electric utilities have come together and found creative ways to accelerate and improve their plans using stimulus funds.

“We’re ready and eager to go to work,” Governor Douglas concluded.

Source: Vermont Governor