APTS CONGRATULATES UEN FOR RECEIVING A FEDERAL BROADBAND GRANT

APTS Congratulates UEN for Receiving a Federal Broadband Grant

WASHINGTON — March 4, 2010 — The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) congratulates The Utah Education Network (UEN), a consortium of public education and public media partners, for being awarded a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Grant of $13.4 million from the U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). BTOP is designed to extend broadband access to unserved areas, improve access to underserved areas, and expand broadband access to a wide range of institutions and individuals, including vulnerable populations. UEN will dedicate the federal funding to wiring 88 public and charter schools throughout Utah, 35 public libraries, and seven Head Start centers, benefiting more than half the state's elementary schools.

"We are delighted to see UEN receive this highly competitive grant from NTIA," said APTS President and CEO Larry Sidman. "The work done by UEN across the state of Utah continues to show the importance that public broadcasting plays in the education of America's children and university students. The technology which will be enabled by this grant will allow students to learn through video conferencing, giving rural communities access to education through technology."

"In addition to enhancing education, this grant will spur economic development since much of the funding will pass through to Utah telecom providers," said UEN Executive Director Michael Petersen. "While students and educators will gain access to 21st century resources, the same broadband infrastructure also enhances the communities where those schools are based. Business, public safety and rural health care are among the many beneficiaries."

Sidman continued: "This grant recognizes the great benefit of public broadcasting for local communities across the country. It is estimated that this grant will benefit almost 1 million Utahans and create 450 jobs. It serves as a reminder that an investment in public broadcasting is an investment for the American people."

Read more about this grant here.