The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications for grants to establish broadband infrastructure in unserved rural communities through its Community Connect Program. The program helps to fund the deployment of broadband into rural communities where it is not economically viable for private sector providers to offer service.
State and local governments, federally-recognized tribes, nonprofits, and for-profit corporations are eligible to apply. Grants awarded through this program must be used to provide broadband service at a minimum rate-of-data transmission of 25 megabits downstream and 3 megabits upstream, which is the speed benchmark for broadband connectivity adopted by the Federal Communications Commission. Awardees must also use their USDA funding to offer free broadband service to all critical community facilities and a community center in their proposed service area for two years.
The minimum grant amount is $100,000 while the maximum amount is $3 million. Applicants must be able to provide a 15 percent match on the desired grant amount. Grants are awarded through a national competition. Prior Community Connect grants cannot be renewed. However, existing Community Connect awardees may submit applications for new projects.
The deadline to apply is May 14, 2018. For additional information about the current application window, including details on the application process, see page 11494 of the March 15, 2018, Federal Register. Questions related to the current application window for USDA's Community Connect Program should be direct to Shawn Arner, (202) 720-0800.
Potential applicants can also participate in a free Community Connect Grant Program Webinar to learn more about the eligibility and regulatory requirements of the program and to receive detailed guidance on how to submit a successful application. The webinars are scheduled for the following times.
April 5, 2018
10:00 - 11:00 am PST
April 10, 2018
10:00 - 11:00 am PST