NTIA Announces $121.5 Million Grants for Statewide Planning for Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network

On February 6, 2013, the U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the availability of $121.5 million in grants to assist states as they prepare for a nationwide public safety broadband network. The grants will be available to all 56 states and territories, and will support planning, consultation, education, and outreach activities as well as help fund efforts to collect information on infrastructure and equipment that could be used by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) in building a wireless public safety broadband network.

 

"The State and Local Implementation Grant Program will be an integral part of statewide planning and preparation in anticipation of this nationwide public safety broadband network," said Lawrence E. Strickling, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator. "State, regional, local, and tribal governments play a critical role as FirstNet develops its plans for this network, and NTIA's grant program will provide the necessary resources to help them consult with FirstNet as mandated by the Act."

 

Applications are due March 19, 2013. NTIA anticipates awarding the grants by July 15, 2013. Click here for additional info.