ARRA - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
The California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) is working in partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Governor's Administration and the Chief Information Officer (CIO), Legislature and Congressional Delegation to secure a fair share of broadband and related-program funding for California from federal economic stimulus American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). California is a Strategic Partner for ARRA and a Key to Closing the Digital Divide in America. Please read the CETF ARRA Match Funding Working Statement
One-third of CETF seed capital is already committed to venture philanthropy grantmaking - see CETF Annual Report for complete list of approved grants to date. CETF current focus:
- Support Existing Grant Investments
- Implement Major Policy Initiatives - Digital Literacy, School2Home, California Telehealth Network (CTN), and Smart Housing
- Get Connected! - Ensure the Success of the Broadband Education and Adopiton
- Develop Strategic Partnerships
- Attract More Resources to Close the Digital Divide
The CETF Board of Directors has obligated additional seed capital up to $16 million to leverage and match ARRA funds, of which $1 million is dedicated for CTN.
CETF will prepare and submit up to three consolidated "shovel-ready" applications related to: (a) Public Awareness and Adoption; (b) Digital Literacy (adult and youth); (c) Computer Recycling (Refurbishing) and Workforce Development.
CETF is reaching out to partners and stakeholders to develop and prepare these proposals. CETF Rural Regional Consortia and Regional Broadband Collaboratives are identifying "shovel-ready" deployment projects and will cooperate with the CPUC to determine how the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) and CETF seed capital can best attract ARRA funding for broadband deployment in California.
The first priorities for ARRA dedicated CETF seed capital is leveraging these applications. After the first round of ARRA applications and decisions are made, CETF will assess the availability of remaining seed capital designated for ARRA leverage and decide whether or not to invite proposals from individual organizations for match funding.
See the CETF ARRA Match Funding Working Statement stipulating the formal conditions and process for ARRA match funding and the submission of unsolicited Concept Proposals in 2009.