Problems remain in broadband grant application process | The Gov Monitor

Responding to criticism that they aren’t spending quickly enough, officials at the Commerce and Agriculture Departments have streamlined the process for doling out stimulus funding for broadband, the Denver Business Journal reports. Broadband grants totaling $7 billion will be given out in two rounds, rather than the three that were originally called for.

The first round of grants—about $4 billion—drew 2,200 applications with nearly $28 billion in requests. The agencies are expected to start paying out the first round of grants next month. Despite this seemingly positive move, The Wall Street Journal reports that several problems remain in the broadband grant application process, including difficulties for suburban and semi-rural areas in qualifying for the grants...