Illinois Farm Bureau - Feds to announce broadband grants by mid-December

Christmas will come early for broadband projects that will be receive federal stimulus funds in a nationwide competition.

Officials with USDA and the U.S. Department of Commerce said Tuesday the first round of funds will be announced in mid-December with additional awards coming in January and February. The federal agencies received more than 2,200 applications for more than seven times the money available in the first round. A total of $7.2 billion will be awarded as broadband stimulus funding...