Thousands Apply for Broadband Grants

News: Technology
August 28, 2009
Technology
The Nation
Thousands Apply for Broadband Grants
USA Today
The federal government has received more than 2,200 applications asking for $28 billion in stimulus funding aimed at driving deployment of high-speed Internet access in underserved areas. The avalanche of applications from state, local and tribal governments, as well as nonprofit and other groups, has eased concerns that there might not be much interest in the program, which will eventually hand out $7.2 billion.
From Governing: Stimulus and Recovery
Bandwidth on the Bayou Governing
A Louisiana community wanted to build its own high-speed network to attract business. Pretty soon, it was stuck in court.


August 27, 2009
Technology
The Nation
State CIOs Urged to Guide Health Info Exchanges
Washington Technology
State chief information officers ought to move quickly to assert a key role in deploying health information technology under the economic stimulus law in their states, according to a new report from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers. The federal Health and Human Services Department has announced the availability of $564 million in state grants to promote health information exchanges.
From Governing: Tech and Telecom

Technology | Federal
The Nation
$37 Million to Target Clean-Energy Tech
Government Computer News
The Energy Department plans to release $37 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to small businesses to stimulate research and development into clean-energy technologies. Topic areas being considered for the program, which targets companies with fewer than 500 employees, include sensors, controls, wireless networks and controllers for smart-grid applications.
From Governing: Stimulus and Recovery


August 26, 2009
Technology
The Nation
GIS Crossing Government Lines
Government Computer News
As powerful as they are, most geographical information system developed during the past decade were created in isolation from one another. However, that situation is changing quickly. GIS applications and the data they deliver are increasingly being linked thanks to informal information-sharing efforts at local and state agencies and more formal, federally funded programs.
From Governing: Tech and Telecom

Technology | Federal
Los Angeles Times
County May Force Contractors to Use E-Verify
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles County is exploring the possibility of requiring future contractors to participate in a federal program that checks whether employees are legal residents authorized to work in the United States. The Board of Supervisors voted to have county officials review the free, online E-Verify program and make a recommendation on mandating the program for contractors.


August 25, 2009
Technology
The Nation
Report Finds Wide Gaps in Internet Speeds
USA Today
The average Internet download speed in the United States is 5.1 megabits per second, though consumers' online experiences can vary dramatically depending on where they happen to live, according to a new report from the Communications Workers of America saying speeds in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic were faster and those in the South and in rural areas were markedly slower.
From Governing: Tech and Telecom

Technology
Prince George's County, Md.
Glitch Plays Havoc with Student Schedules
Washington Post
Students at many Prince George's County middle and high schools began their year on the sidelines when a problem with the county's new computer system left hundreds of them with gaps in their class schedules. Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. said he did not know how many students were affected by the problem, but he said "most" of the county's 22 high schools had reported problems.