Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is soliciting applications for grants to establish broadband in unserved rural communities through its Community Connect Program. Community Connect is administered by USDA’s Rural Utility Service and helps to fund broadband deployment into rural communities where it is not economically viable for private sector providers to provide service.
“Through Community Connect and our other telecommunications programs, USDA helps to ensure that rural residents have access to broadband to run businesses, get the most from their education and benefit from the infinite services that fast, reliable broadband provides,” Vilsack said. “USDA is committed to supporting America’s rural communities through targeted investments in our bio economy and renewable energy, local and regional food systems, conservation initiatives and rural development.”
José Otero-García, USDA Rural Development State Director for Puerto Rico indicated that the USDA plans to award up to $11.7 million in grants through the Community Connect grant program. The grants also fund broadband for community centers and public institutions. The minimum grant is $100,000 for FY 2016. The maximum award is $3 million.
For more information on how to apply for the grants please see the Federal Register of April 18, 2016 page 22567. For additional information please call Miguel Ramírez, Public Affairs Coordinator at Puerto Rico State Office at (787)- 766-5095.
Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested $11 billion to start or expand 103,000 rural business; helped 1.1 million rural residents buy homes, funded nearly 7,000 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities; financed 180, 000 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines; and helped bring high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses.