McGinn moving forward with push for better broadband access
SEATTLE -- Mayor McGinn says he's moving ahead with his pledge to bring citywide broadband to Seattle.
In some Seattle neighborhoods broadband Internet service is a given. In others, like Beacon Hill or the Central district, neighbors have to hope they can get online and stay there at a workable speed.
Mayor Mike McGinn was just in Washington, D.C. and says he met with U.S. Commerce Secretary and former Washington Governor Gary Locke about applying for federal grants to help pay for increasing broadband access.
"We'll be preparing an application," McGinn said.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, an arm of the Commerce Department, is handing out $4.7 billion in stimulus funding for broadband. As of last week, NTIA had awarded roughly $200 million in grants for 15 projects.
Applications for the next and final round of broadband funding are due by March 15.
McGinn says even if they get the federal money it wont be enough, so his team is working on a plan for local financing, too.
He said in addition to providing access to residents and local business, more pervasive broadband would help with city infrastructure, such as smart metering for Seattle City Light.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
In some Seattle neighborhoods broadband Internet service is a given. In others, like Beacon Hill or the Central district, neighbors have to hope they can get online and stay there at a workable speed.
Mayor Mike McGinn was just in Washington, D.C. and says he met with U.S. Commerce Secretary and former Washington Governor Gary Locke about applying for federal grants to help pay for increasing broadband access.
"We'll be preparing an application," McGinn said.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, an arm of the Commerce Department, is handing out $4.7 billion in stimulus funding for broadband. As of last week, NTIA had awarded roughly $200 million in grants for 15 projects.
Applications for the next and final round of broadband funding are due by March 15.
McGinn says even if they get the federal money it wont be enough, so his team is working on a plan for local financing, too.
He said in addition to providing access to residents and local business, more pervasive broadband would help with city infrastructure, such as smart metering for Seattle City Light.
---
The Associated Press contributed to this report.