Texas Prioritizes 52 Broadband Stimulus Applications

The state of Texas on Thursday released its list of the 52 projects that should be prioritized in the broadband stimulus funding decision pending by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Rural Utilities Service. Through Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and Donna Nelson, Commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission of Texas, the state provided a detailed itemization of its project priorities, as well as its recommendations for implementation of grant funding in Texas. Even though Staples and Nelson said that its "extensive review process... was conducted in a very short period of time," they said, "we are confident in the projects we have recommended." Although Staples and Nelson said that they had winnowed more than 150 applications potentially affecting Texas to 52, they also asked that the NTIA consider "all applications proposing Texas service for funding as well."