Community Connect Grant Program

 
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    CFDA#

    10.863
     

    Funder Type

    Federal Government

    IT Classification

    A - Primarily intended to fund technology

    Authority

    Rural Development

    Summary

    The Community Connect Grant Program (Community Connect Program) is designed to provide financial assistance to provide service at the Broadband Grant Speed in rural, economically-challenged communities that lack access to 25 Mbps/3 Mbps. Grant funds may be used to: (1) deploy service at the Broadband Grant Speed to essential community facilities, rural residents, and rural businesses, (2) construct, acquire, or expand a community center, and (3) equip a community center that provides free access to service at the Broadband Grant Speed to community residents for at least two years. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis for entities to serve all premises in eligible rural areas at the Broadband Grant Speed to ensure rural consumers enjoy the same quality and range of broadband services as are available in urban and suburban communities.

     

    History of Funding

    2021 awardees can be viewed at https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/cc_awardsby_application_fiscalyear2021.pdf

    2019 awardees can be viewed at https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/USDARD_CommunityConnect_CHART100719.pdf.

    Additional Information

    The Proposed Funded Service Area (PFSA) must currently have no broadband access or access that is less than 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) downstream plus 3 Mbps upstream. Mobile service and satellite service are not considered Broadband Service regardless of speed. The correction notice from December 19, 2023 revises this definition to a PFSA must lack access to broadband service of 10 Mbps downstream plus 1 Mbps upstream to be eligible for consideration for Community Connect Program funding.


    The PFSA must not overlap with services areas of current RUS borrowers and grantees. Areas receiving, or areas that have received final approval for, other federal funding to construct terrestrial facilities providing at least 25/3 Mbps service in the project PFSA as of the date of this notice (March 20, 2023; modified by the December 19, 2023 notice to 10/1 Mbps), and which have been reported to the agency, are ineligible.


    The broadband grant speed is 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream for fixed terrestrial broadband service, whether fixed or wireless.


    For FY 2023, one proposal per applicant is eligible for approval. If an applicant submits more than one proposal, then the Agency will only consider the application with the highest score.

    Contacts

    Community Connect Help Desk

    Community Connect Help Desk

    ,

    Randall Millhiser

    Randall Millhiser
    Office of Loan Origination and Approval
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, DC 20250-1550
    (202) 720-0800
     

  • Eligibility Details

    Eligible applicants include:

    • Incorporated organizations
    • Federally-recognized Tribes
    • State and local units of government
    • Any other legal entity, including cooperatives, private corporations, or limited liability companies organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis

    Rural areas that lack any existing terrestrial broadband speed of at least 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream are eligible.

    Deadline Details

    Applications were to be submitted by June 20, 2023. A notice published on December 19, 2023 extends the deadline to February 20, 2024. A similar deadline is anticipated annually.

    Award Details

    Approximately $79 million will be available for FY 2023. Award amounts vary. Individual awards range from $100,000 to $5,000,000 each. A 15% cash match is required; in-kind contributions are not eligible to be used to satisfy the required match. Projects will last 3 years.


    For FY 23 the Community Connect Program will have 10% of available funding set aside for Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) projects. SECD supports projects that promote and implement strategic community investment plans. These plans use the unique strengths of rural communities to advance prosperity.

    Related Webcasts Use the links below to view the recorded playback of these webcasts


    • Top 10 Local Grant Programs You Won't Want to Miss in 2015 - Sponsored by Sprint - Playback Available
    • Funding IT Security in Government and Education - Sponsored by VMware - Playback Available
    • Funding Technology-Fueled Innovation in State and Local Government - Sponsored by NetApp and Avnet Technology Solutions - Playback Available

 

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