The National Telecommunication and Information Administration awarded $190 million in economic stimulus funds to help states use broadband technology to improve their economies.

These are the final grants to be funded by the stimulus bill's State Broadband Data and Development program. NTIA previously awarded $103 million through this program to all 50 states, five territories and Washington, D.C.

The programs funded differ from state to state. Massachusetts, for example, will use the money to provide technical assistance on broadband use to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Pennsylvania will use the money to research barriers to the use of broadband by manufacturers.

"Each state has unique broadband challenges, and these investments will support solutions developed by the states to harness the power of technology so that local businesses can thrive and residents can enjoy a better quality of life," said NTIA Administrator Lawrence Strickling.

States also will collect data on the availability, speed and location of broadband services, which will help NTIA develop a searchable, interactive national map.

NTIA also awarded $207 million in grants to 233 projects around the country to expand broadband infrastructure and expand public computer centers. These grants were the last to be awarded through the stimulus bill's $4 billion Broadband Technologies Opportunity Program.

Transport grant requests exceed fund

The Department of Transportation received nearly 1,000 applications for more than $19 billion in infrastructure projects through its Tiger II program.

Unfortunately, that's far more than the $600 million available through the program, which was funded by regular appropriations but is similar to the economic stimulus bill's $1.5 billion Tiger I program. The department received $60 billion in requests for Tiger I money. Tiger stands for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery.

"The wave of applications for both Tiger II and Tiger I dollars shows the backlog of needed infrastructure improvements and the desire for more flexible funds," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This also shows the opportunities still before us to create jobs, to reduce congestion, make wise environmental choices and help generate lasting growth."