Savannah Standard

Town of Portal issued  the following announcement on Oct. 21.

Below you will find links and contact information for the state and federal agencies providing a range of resources–from maps and toolkits, to grant/loan programs and services–in support of local government broadband planning and deployment. Since agencies are continuing to roll out new programs and tools, please check their website for the latest information.

Georgia Broadband Program

Led by the Georgia Technology Authority and the Department of Community Affairs.

• 2021 Georgia Broadband Availability Map
• Broadband Ready Community Designation
• Broadband Ready Communities Stories (interactive format)

You can also find a Broadband Ready Community Model Ordinance, the 2021 Broadband Report and more on the Georgia Broadband Program website.

Georgia Technology Authority (GTA)

Georgia's Enterprise IT Policies, Standards and Guidelines (PSGs)

Contact

Jessica Simmons

Deputy Chief Information Officer for Broadband and Special Projects, GTA

jessica.simmons@gta.ga.gov

404-463-2300

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

• BroadbandUSA Program
• Interactive Federal Funding Guide
• Toolkits, reference guides, training materials and other publications for local government broadband planning and digital inclusion

Contact

Scott Woods

Senior Broadband Program Specialist, NTIA

swoods@ntia.gov

Office: 202-482-1713

Mobile: 202-306-3096

U.S. Department of Agriculture

• ReConnect Loan and Grant Program
• USDA Rural Development
• USDA Rural Development programs:
  • Community Connect Program
  • Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
  • Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantees
  • Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Guarantees

Contact

Andrew E. Hayes

General Field Representative, Loan Origination and Approval Division, Telecommunications Program, Rural Development, USDA (States Covered: FL, GA, PR, VI)

andrew.hayes@usda.gov

770-312-7073

Laurel Leverrier

Assistant Administrator, Rural Utilities Service Telecommunications Headquarters in Washington, D.C., USDA

Laurel.Leverrier@usda.gov

202-720-9556

U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)

• EDA’s American Rescue Plan programs
• All EDA programs and initiatives
• Economic Development Integration (EDI): To increase local and regional capacity in accessing federal resources; enhance interagency, intergovernmental and cross-sectoral coordination; reduce administrative burden.

Contact

Jonathan Corso

Economic Development Representative

jcorso@eda.gov

404-809-7094

Original source can be found here.