[imgbelt img=newrdlogo.jpg]StimulatingBroadband.com is reporting that the Rural Utility Service released two fact sheets about its role in the second round of broadband funding under the federal stimulus plan. This includes a notice that RUS will conduct a series of workshops in ten cities “aimed at helping prospective applicants better understand the mission, scope, process and requirements of the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program(BTOP).”The cities are Portland (OR); Reno; Denver; San Antonio, Eureka (MO); Sioux Falls (SD); Detroit; Blacksburg (VA); Fayetteville (NC); and Atlanta. The RUS and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will hold six “pre-workshop” workshops for “vulnerable populations, including minority groups and tribal entitites who otherwise might not fully participate in the ARRA broadband programs.” See release here. StimulatingBroadband.com notes that two documents were published today by RUS and the USDA. The first is the one announcing the workshops. The other, by USDA, is here.