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: NEWS CONTACT: November 4, 2009 Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253 Email: mark.wigfield@fcc.gov STAFF WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON CAPITALIZATION STRATEGIES FOR SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES Washington, D.C. – A Nov. 12 staff workshop on broadband opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses will focus on the availability of financing for the growth and purchase of telecommunications facilities related to broadband technologies. The workshop will also explore capitalization in cable, wireless, TV and radio broadcasting, common carrier facilities, and ancillary services. The staff workshop is the second on broadband opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses held by the Federal Communications Commission for the development of a National Broadband Plan. WHEN: Thursday, November 12, 9:30 a.m. LOCATION: FCC Commission Meeting Room, 445 12th St. SW, Washington D.C. 20554. Those attending are asked to register in advance at http://www.broadband.gov/workshops/registration.htm?wsid=30 ONLINE: Register in advance at http://www.broadband.gov/workshops/registration.htm?wsid=30 AGENDA: 9:30 a.m. INTRODUCTION OF WORKSHOP Thomas Reed, Director, FCC Office of Communications Business Opportunities (Moderator) 9:35 a.m. INTRODUCTION Commissioner Robert McDowell 9:45 a.m. PANEL 1: PUBLIC FUNDING · Frank Montero, Co-Managing Partner, Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth · Maureen Lewis, Director, Minority Telecommunications Development Program, NTIA · S. Jenell Trigg, Lerman Senter · Sean Green, Associate Administrator, Investment Innovator, Small Business Administration · Gary Bojes, Ph.D, Senior Level Program and Policy Advisor, Rural Utilities Service, Rural Development, USDA 11:15 a.m. PANEL 2: PRIVATE FUNDING · Mark Levine, Core Capital · Jerry Johnson, RLJ Equity · Arun Gupta, Columbia Capital · Anita Stephens Graham, Opportunity Capital 12:30 p.m. BREAK 1:30 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS Interested parties who wish to participate in the breakout sessions must sign up in advance and identify their top two choices of panelists with which they wish to meet during the breakout session. In order to participate in the breakout sessions, you must e- mail your selection of panelists together with your business plan, or pertinent business information, to Karen Beverly, OCBO, no later than Thursday, November 5, 2009. Karen Beverly may be reached at Karen.Beverly@fcc.gov or by phone at (202) 418-0990. 3:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Staff workshops are being held to promote an open dialogue between the FCC and key constituents on matters important to the National Broadband Plan. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 directed the FCC to submit a National Broadband Plan to Congress by February 17, 2010 that addresses broadband deployment, adoption, affordability, and the use of broadband to advance solutions to national priorities, including health care, education, energy, public safety, job creation, investment, and others. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. The request should include a detailed description of the accommodation needed and contact information. Please provide as much advance notice as possible; last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill. Send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY). Updates about the Federal Communications Commission’s development of the National Broadband can be found at http://blog.broadband.com and at http://www.broadband.gov/news.html. You can also follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FCC. -FCC-