Efforts to expand broadband in the rural Heartland

So I'm long overdue for a blog post. I had a bit of a vacation, but now I'm back.

A little more than a week ago, I did a story on the efforts to expand broadband internet access in rural areas. Congress approved $7.2 billion in stimulus money to help lay the groundwork for broadband deployment across the nation. There is so much information that comes along with this story, that I couldn't fit it all on air. I want to share some of the links I find interesting and useful in understanding broadband and how the government plans to help Internet Service Providers expand.

Since the Heartland is such a rural area and internet has become one of my interests, this story combined two things I care about into one. I think that this is an important issue. After the story aired, many of you obviously agreed as I received a number of phone calls and emails asking for more information. Many of you live in rural areas and have been waiting for broadband access to get to you. While I haven't seen a timeline as to when broadband will be deployed, there has been some very basic steps taken in the direction of more deployment. I suspect there will be some follow up stories as work moves along. In the meantime, check out this list of links to help you better understand the efforts of broadband expansion. As always I welcome feedback.

FCC on Recovery Act
Broadband Opportunities for Rural America - FCC
Broadband Technology Opportunities Program - NTIA
Rural Development Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee Program
Submit Electronic Comments on National Broadband Plan
ConnectKentucky.org
ConnectedTennessee.org
Broadbandcensus.com
Below are pdf files.
Missouri Rural Internet Access Task Force - Addendum Report Jan. 12, 2009
Comments of the State of Missouri before the NTIA and Rurual Utilities Service
Contact information about broadband expansion through Recovery Act
Testimony of NTIA to Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet Committee on Energy and Commerce April 2, 2009
Missouri Sen. Jason Crowell on Expanding Broadband Networks in Rural Areas
Big River Telephone Company Outlines Broadband Expansion Plans
FCC Launches Development of National Broadband Plan - Press Release
FCC Launches Development of National Broadband Plan - Notice of Inquiry
FCC Launches Development of National Broadband Plan - Copps Statement
FCC Launches Development of National Broadband Plan - Adelstein Statement
FCC Launches Development of National Broadband Plan - McDowell Statement