Many line for broadband stimulus funds: $28B requested vs. $4B available

Many interested in broadband stimulus funds

WASHINGTON — “Cash for clunkers” isn’t the only economic stimulus program to attract a lot of takers.

The U.S. government says it has received requests for a total of $28 billion from groups that want to expand high-speed Internet service in the country. The government has $4 billion in loans and grants initially available.

The 2,200 requests came in from states, counties, nonprofits, phone companies, libraries, universities and other bodies. A major use of the money will be to connect rural homes to the Internet.

The winning applicants will be announced in November. Those who lose out in the first round will have two more rounds to compete in.