NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2009 VILSACK, COPPS AND WADE TO KICK OFF THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT’S BROADBAND INITIATIVE Partners from Commerce, Agriculture, FCC to Highlight New Programs Designed to Accelerate Broadband Deployment in Rural, Underserved Areas News Media Contacts: Mark Wigfield, FCC, (202) 418-0253, Mark.Wigfield@fcc.gov Jay Fletcher, USDA/RUS, (202) 690-0498, Jay.fletcher@wdc.usda.gov Kevin Griffis/Karen Cowles Pullen, (202) 482-4883, kgriffis@doc.gov/kcpullen@doc.gov WASHINGTON—U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Acting Chairman Michael Copps and U.S. Department of Commerce Senior Advisor and Acting Chief of Staff Rick Wade will announce the kickoff Tuesday of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’s (ARRA) broadband initiative. Vilsack, Copps and Wade will discuss the implementation of the broadband initiatives funded by the ARRA, initiatives critical for building a 21st Century information infrastructure and creating jobs in communities across the country. They also will announce a series of meetings that will give the public an opportunity to ask questions about and provide comment on the program. The broadband initiatives funded in the ARRA are intended to accelerate broadband deployment in unserved, underserved and rural areas and to strategic institutions that are likely to create jobs or provide significant public benefits. After remarks from the department heads, participants from the partner agencies will discuss the USDA Rural Development's Broadband Program, the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) new Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and the development by the FCC of a national broadband plan. There will also be time for public comment. The meeting agenda and information about these initiatives is available at each of the agencies Web sites: USDA Rural Development at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov, NTIA at www.ntia.doc.gov and FCC at www.fcc.gov/recovery/broadband/. This will be the first of several public meetings. Attendance at the meeting is limited to space available and seating for the public will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals requiring special services, such as sign language interpretation or other ancillary aids, are asked to indicate this to Barbara Brown at least two (2) days prior to the meeting, which will be streamed live on the Web at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/ and archived at each of the agency Web sites. For further information, contact Mary Campanola, USDA Rural Development, at (202) 720-8822 or mary.campanola@wdc.usda.gov; Barbara Brown, NTIA, at (202) 482-4374 or bbrown@ntia.doc.gov; or Christi Shewman, FCC, at (202) 418-1686 or christi.shewman@fcc.gov. ARRA Broadband Initiative Kickoff Who: USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack FCC Acting Chairman Michael Copps U.S. Department of Commerce Acting Chief of Staff Rick Wade What: ARRA Broadband Initiatives Kickoff When: 10:00—11:30 a.m. Tues., March 10, 2009 (Press Check in: 9:15 a.m.) Where: Auditorium, U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20230 Press should enter the aquarium entrance on 14th Street and should RSVP by 4:00 p.m. Monday, March 9 to kcpullen@doc.gov or kgriffis@doc.gov. -FCC- News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov.