Federal Sources of Capital and Opportunity for Entrepreneurs
September 5, 2012On July 18 and 19, 2012, I joined colleagues and leaders at the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council (MMTC) at the 10th Annual Access to Capital and Telecom Policy Conference in Washington, DC, where I delivered the Access to Capital Keynote Address, encouraging telecom leaders to reach for transformative change by embracing the cause of minority entrepreneurship in wireless and telecommunications.
Recently, the Broadband and Social Justice released part 1 in a three-part series describing one of the conferences most enlightening panels that explored sources of funding entrepreneurs might consider.
Below is an excerpt from Part 1 of the series.
Federal Sources of Capital and Opportunity for Entrepreneurs: National Networks
MMTC’s annual Access to Capital and Telecom Policy conferences focus heavily on issues associated with fundraising for entrepreneurs. This year’s schedule included a panel of experts that explored sources of funding entrepreneurs might consider. The panel, titled “Entrepreneurial Opportunities with the Federal Government,” included a detailed overview of federal grants, loans, and programs that target entrepreneurs in telecommunications related industries.
The panel was made up of notable government experts: Rural Utilities Service Chief Administrator Jonathan Adelstein, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Deputy Administrator Anna Gomez, and the Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Program Director David Hinson offered invaluable insights to conference attendees. Each highlighted different funding options available from their respective agencies.
Deputy Administrator Gomez began the session by discussing the NTIA’s work on FirstNet. “The NTIA is in the process of building out an interoperable public safety communications network intended to help first responders communicate better during disasters,” she explained. The NTIA will build, deploy, and operate the network as the U.S.’s first nationwide public safety broadband network (PSBN) and a debt-free initiative funded in part from theFCC spectrum auctions.
Due to the national reach of the new network, the NTIA will consult with each state and local government throughout construction. The placement of towers as well as the primary coverage areas will all be determined in consultations between the NTIA and regional governments. State and local governments will also receive assistance to ensure effective use of the infrastructure and equipment that passes through their jurisdiction. Gomez stated that states would not have to accept federal money to support FirstNet buildout, but they will be given an option to conduct their own network deployment in their states.
To continue reading, visit: http://broadbandandsocialjustice.org/2012/09/federal-sources-of-capital-and-opportunity-for-entrepreneurs/
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