[1st-mile-nm] USDA Community Connect Program

[Richard Lowenberg]

USDA Seeks Applications for Funding to Increase Access to 
E-Connectivity/Broadband in Unserved Rural Areas

https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2018/03/20/usda-seeks-applications-funding-increase-access-e

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2018 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural 
Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is accepting 
applications for grants to fund broadband infrastructure projects in 
unserved rural communities.

“E-connectivity is essential to the economic vitality and quality of 
life in rural communities,” Hazlett said. “Investing in broadband can 
strengthen rural economic growth and improve critical access to jobs, 
education, health care and social services.”

USDA is accepting applications through May 14 in the Community Connect 
program. Grants from $100,000 to $3 million are available to state and 
local governments, federally-recognized tribes, nonprofits and 
for-profit corporations. Applicants must be able to provide a 15 percent 
match on the desired grant amount.

The funds 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 that the Federal Communications 
Commission has officially adopted for broadband connectivity. Awardees 
must use USDA funding to offer free broadband service to all critical 
community facilities in their proposed service areas for two years and 
provide a community center with free broadband service for two years.

(snip)


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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
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