U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today announced that USDA is accepting applications for the Community Connect Grant Program for FY 2017.
The grants may be used to provide broadband service in unserved, lower-income and extremely rural areas.
USDA will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services, based on requirements that can be found at 7 CFR part 1739.
Applicants are encouraged to review the FY 2017 application guide and sample material that is available online at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-connect-grants. The minimum rate of data transmission is ten (10) megabits downstream and one (1) megabit upstream for both fixed and mobile service to the customer.
More information on how to apply for funding is available on page 2940 of the January 10 Federal Register.