Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley applauded today’s announcement of $2.1 million to expand broadband access in Oregon.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) stated today that Oregon will receive a grant to fund broadband mapping and planning activities. The money is one of 15 grants announced today by NTIA.
“In today’s economy, moving information is just as important as moving goods,” Merkley said.
“Whether you ply your trade in a downtown Portland high rise or a Wallowa County wheat field, entrepreneurs need broadband access to stay competitive.”
The Oregon Public Utilities Commission will receive about $1.6 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Oregon, according to NTIA.
The program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will increase broadband access and adoption through better data collection and broadband planning. The data will be displayed in NTIA’s national broadband map. The map helps inform policymakers’ efforts and provides consumers with improved information on the broadband Internet services available to them, according to NTIA.
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