(NTIA Proposes Formal End to Public Telecom Facilities Program)

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes to repeal all of its regulations establishing and governing the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP).  The PTFP was a competitive grant program that helped public broadcasting entities, state and local governments, Native American Tribes, and nonprofit organizations to construct public television and radio stations.  However, as of Fiscal Year 2011, Congress stopped appropriating funds for PTFP.  As a result of the lack of funding, NTIA began to shut down the PTFP.  NTIA has not processed applications or awarded any grants under the PTFP since funding ceased, although it continued to monitor PTFP grants it awarded before Fiscal Year 2011.