Lots of Takers

So the basic stats are in. The first round of applications for broadband stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 have been received by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Rural Utilities Service. A press release from NTIA provides the rundown:

they received almost 2,200 applications requesting nearly $28 billion in funding for proposed broadband projects reaching all 50 U.S. states and territories and the District of Columbia

That $28 billion is roughly seven times the amount (~$4 billion) available during the first round.