By Ron Thaniel
March 9, 2009

The TeleCommUnity and the law firm of Miller & Van Eaton P.L.L.C. and The U.S. Conference of Mayors Transportation and Communications Committee Vice Chair for Communications Tallahassee Mayor John Marks hosted a conference call February 18. Marks told the audience of local elected officials and their representatives that, “Many of the programs in the law (ARRA), including broadband deployment, represent long-term priorities that the Conference of Mayors has been promoting for years.”

“Having served as the Chair of the Florida Public Service Commission, I have long awaited recognition by leaders in Washington of the value broadband plays in the economic development of our cities,” he said.

Marks stated, “We are very happy that the law recognizes that it is not only rural unserved areas that are at risk, but also underserved areas in cities and their metropolitan areas.”

Explaining eligibility, Marks said, “The law is terrific in its affirmative identification of local governments as eligible applicants for these funds. One of the purposes for today’s call is to ensure that local governments come to the table with their ideas and visions.” The law contains $4.7 billion to National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for competitive grants to cities, county, and state governments as well as nonprofits and private entities.

On behalf of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Marks has requested a meeting with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to discuss the broadband provisions in ARRA.

All grant awards must be made before September 30, 2010.

TeleCommUnity advocates for local governments’ interests on matters of federal telecommunications and broadband legislation that affect their authority, use and control over public lands and rights-of-way, zoning, and public use of spectrum.

President Obama announced Julius Genachowski as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission March 3. President Obama said, “I can think of no one better than Julius Genachowski to serve as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. He will bring to the job diverse and unparalleled experience in communications and technology, with two decades of accomplishment in the private sector and public service.”