In an ongoing effort to make sure Virginians maximize federal funding opportunities available through the economic recovery package, Senator Warner hosted the "Virginia Summit on Broadband Access" today at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville.

About $7.2 million is available through the economic stimulus package for broadband programs. Two agencies have been tasked with distrubting the funds: the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS), which focuses on rural development.  NTIA will distribute $4.7 billion in broadband access and RUS will distribute $2.5 billion to rural communities.

The administrators of both programs were on-hand today to explain how Virginia's small businesses, non-profits, and local governments can apply to receive the stimulus dollars.

As Virginia governor, Warner worked with both the private and public sectors to find ways to increase affordable broadband access and to attract business and good jobs throughout the commonwealth. During his administration, broadband was extended more than 400 miles across Southside and Southwest Virginia.

"Broadband technology, with its capacity to expand education and job training programs, makes our rural communities much more attractive to outside investment," Senator Warner said during the summit.

Applications for the first round of funding from both agencies are due on August 14, and applications can be found here: http://www.broadbandusa.gov.

Video of the summit is below; click here to view the presentations: