Broadband grants deadline extended by two agencies

Two federal agencies have extended the application deadline for grants from the economic stimulus bill aimed at expanding broadband access in the United States.

The March 15 deadline for applications in the second and final round of stimulus funding for high-speed Internet access is being pushed back toward the end of the month. Applications are now due to the Commerce Department by March 26 and to the Agriculture Department by March 29.

The new deadlines apply to projects that seek subsidies to build networks. Proposals for public computer centers and broadband training programs are still due by the original March 15 deadline.

Some applicants have complained that the original deadlines were unfair because the government has yet to respond to all proposals submitted in the first funding round.

Congress included $7.2 billion in last year's stimulus package to help spur broadband access and adoption nationwide.