Fwd: White House request for assistance

[prinaldo at cox.net]

Gang, FYI. This is kicking around IEEE emails. Paul, W4RI

Forwarded message ----------
> From: <society at comsoc.org>
> Date: Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 10:34 AM
> Subject: White House request for assistance
> To: gme8 at cornell.edu
> 
> 
> The following is being sent at the request of Vint Cerf on behalf of Susan
> Crawford, National Economic Council
> 
> We need your help in support of a broadband initiative that President Obama
> cares deeply about.  Specifically, we are seeking subject matter experts who
> would review grant applications being filed with the federal government by
> applicants seeking financial support for broadband projects throughout the
> country.
> 
> The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriated $7.2 billion to the
> Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information
> Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities
> Service (RUS) and to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved
> communities across the U.S., increase jobs, spur investments in technology
> and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits.  The Department
> of Commerce's program, the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, or
> BTOP, will distribute 4.7 billion dollars in grant funds directed at
> enhancing network connectivity as well as broadband education.  These grants
> should provide lasting value to commerce, economic development, education,
> research, health care, and energy conservation.
> 
>  The Department will be giving out funds in three categories.  A large share
> of the funds will be dedicated to developing broadband infrastructure in
> unserved and underserved communities.  Two additional programs include
> grants for innovative projects that will drive the demand for broadband and
> grants for increasing public computing center capacity to provide access to
> those that can't afford a computer or broadband service at home.
> 
>  This is where you come in.  Commerce is expecting a large number of
> applications and is using experts to rate the various projects.  Many of
> your employees may be uniquely situated to assist in this process. Of
> particular interest to the Department of Commerce are people with a
> background in broadband related activities, including engineering, business
> development, economics, research and development, and project management.
> The Department is also interested in staff that have significant experience
> in the analysis and oversight of infrastructure projects.
> 
>  We could also use your help in spreading the word.  It would be appreciated
> if you could reach out to your friends or business contacts that have had
> significant expertise and experience in any of these areas.
> 
>  Participation by high quality expert reviewers will help ensure that these
> funds are well invested for our future.  The Department is looking for a
> minimum time commitment of approximately 20 hours between mid August and mid
> September.  You may apply directly to serve as a reviewer at
> btopreviewer at ntia.doc.gov <http://ieee.xert.net/d.cfm?m=297149.902.0.24616>.
> More information about being a reviewer is available at
> http://broadbandusa.gov <http://ieee.xert.net/d.cfm?m=297149.902.0.24617>
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> 
>  Susan Crawford
>  National Economic Council