Community Connect Grant Program

 

To encourage community-oriented connectivity by providing grants to eligible applicants who will deploy broadband transmission service in rural communities where such service does not currently exist; who will connect all critical community facilities such as local schools, education centers, libraries, hospitals, health care providers, law enforcement agencies, public safety organizations, fire, and rescue services, as well as residents and businesses; and who will operate a community center which provides free and open access to area residents.

Active 10.863 Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture B - Project Grants Not applicable. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005; Title III: Rural Development Programs; Rural Utilities Service; Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program; Public Law 108-447. To be eligible for a grant, the applicant must: (a) be legally organized as an incorporated organization, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, a state or local unit of government, or other legal entity, including cooperatives or private corporations or limited liability companies organized on a for profit or not-for profit basis, and (b) have the legal capacity and authority to own and operate the broadband facilities as proposed in its application, to enter into contracts and to otherwise comply with applicable federal statutes and regulations. The people living in rural areas and to improve rural opportunities through the availability of access to high speed broadband networks. See 7 CFR part 1739 for details. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. To be eligible for a grant, the applicant must: (a) be legally organized as an incorporated organization, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, a state or local unit of government, or other legal entity, including cooperatives or private corporations or limited liability companies organized on a for profit or not-for profit basis, and (b) have the legal capacity and authority to own and operate the broadband facilities as proposed in its application, to enter into contracts and to otherwise comply with applicable federal statutes and regulations. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Submit an application in accordance with 7 CFR 1739 and its accompanying application guide. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to applicants receiving the highest number of points. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Applications are approved each fiscal year for which funding is made available. Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Grants will be made available, on a competitive basis, for the deployment of broadband services to critical community facilities, rural residents, and rural businesses and for the operation of a community center which would provide free access to broadband services to community residents for at least two years. . See 7 CFR Part 1739 for details. Performance Reports: Project performance activity reports are required annually. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements, Subpart F, Audit Requirements (Revised, December 26, 2013) nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Subpart F. Entities which do not meet the criteria for applicability in 2 CFR 200 will have an audit prepared in accordance with 7 CFR 1773, Policy on Audits of RUS Borrowers and Grantees. Grantee will provide evidence that funds are expended for approved purposes. For profit entities owe an audit for any year in which funds are expended. Other entities (state and local governments, non-profits, etc.) are subject only if more than $750,000 is expended. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. 15%. The grant applicant must contribute a matching contribution which is at least 15 percent of the grant amount requested and this must be in cash in an account of the awardee at the time of closing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Applicants generally have three years to spend funds. Extensions may be granted. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Funds may be advanced monthly or as needed to reimburse disbursements for approved grant purposes. Funds may be advanced monthly or as needed to reimburse disbursements for approved grant purposes. None/Not specified. Assistant Administrator, Telecommunications Program
Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., STOP 1590
Washington, DC 20250 US
laurel.leverrier@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 720-9554. http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-connect-grants 12-1232-0-1-452 (Project Grants) FY 22$9,999,604.00; FY 23 est $85,602,773.00; FY 24 est $35,000,000.00; FY 21$46,981,068.00; FY 20$15,772,959.00; FY 19$24,263,631.00; FY 18$30,000,000.00; - $100,000 to $3,000,000 with an average size of $2,499,901. For FY22, these awards were carryover from FY21. The program was not open in FY22. 7 CFR 1739: Broadband Grant Program, Subpart A - Community Connect Grant Program Not applicable.