Title III, Pub. L. 108-109, 118 118 Stat. 3.
The Community Connect program helps fund broadband deployment in rural communities where it is not yet economically viable for private-sector providers to deliver service. The grants offer financial assistance to eligible service providers that will construct, improve, or expand broadband networks in rural areas.
10.863
Discretionary
Not Applicable
Reissue/Renewal
Not Applicable
Total Amount:$82,000,000
Amount Available Towards Broadband (if specified):
Yes.
If yes, what is the matching requirement: 15 percent
This program cannot be used as a match to other federal programs.
Distance Learning and Telehealth
The minimum Broadband Grant Speed is set in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.
The applicant must define a contiguous geographic area, located entirely within a rural area, in which broadband service does not exist. Rural Area refers to any area, as confirmed by the most recent decennial Census of the United States, which is not located within a city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants; or an urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants
The residents and businesses within the proposed funded service area receive broadband at the Funding Opportunity Announcement’s Broadband Grant Speed. The proposed funded service area must include a community center with free broadband and provide free broadband to Essential Community Facilities for two years.
Telecommunications Program Funded Service Map: https://ruraldevelopment.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=93ba783edf5b407c9641b2f8653e8c1d
Additional requirements, including required reporting by grant awardees, can found in the program’s regulation, 7 CFR 1739, and on the program’s website, https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/community-connect-grants.
Telecommunications Program Funded Service Map: https://ruraldevelopment.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=93ba783edf5b407c9641b2f8653e8c1d
For questions about the Community Connect Grant Program, please email Community.Connect@usda.gov or call the Loan Origination and Approval Division at (202) 720-0800.
March 2023