Several Leaders Will Discuss Information Infrastructure Initiative

Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will join Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairman Michael Copps and U.S. Department of Commerce Senior Advisor and Acting Chief of Staff Rick Wade to announce the kickoff of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009's broadband initiative. The announcement will be made at the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

During their presentation the three leaders will discuss the implementation of the broadband initiatives funded by the ARRA, initiatives critical for building a 21st Century information infrastructure and creating jobs in communities across the country. They also will announce a series of meetings that will give the public an opportunity to ask questions about and provide comment on the program.

The broadband initiatives are intended to accelerate broadband deployment in un-served, underserved and rural areas and to strategic institutions that are likely to create jobs or provide significant public benefits.