The West Virginia Broadband Deployment Council (WVBDC) is accepting applications for up to $4 million in broadband deployment grants through Sept. 14, 2012. The Council may award grants for broadband infrastructure projects and projects that promote demand for broadband services and broadband applications. After all the initial applications are received, a 60-day period will begin on Sept. 17, 2012 for competing applications to be filed in the same areas as the initial applications. The notice will be published in the State Register.
Entities eligible for broadband infrastructure grants include but are not limited to broadband service providers, telecommunications service providers, commercial mobile radio service providers, local governments, public/private partnerships and nonprofit organizations. All of those entities plus community organizations are eligible to apply for grants that would increase the demand for broadband.
One of the purposes of the WVBDC is to encourage broadband deployment in the state of West Virginia, with a special emphasis on bringing broadband service to unserved or underserved areas of the state and increasing demand where broadband exists.
Information about this funding opportunity along with the application can be found at http://www.broadbandgrants.wv.gov.
Interested entities are encouraged to work through their Regional Planning and Development Councils. Contact information for West Virginia’s Regional Planning and Development Councils is available online at http://www.wvcommerce.org/business/businessassistance/business_resource_directory/organization/rpdcs.aspx.
