Opportunity Information: Apply for RDRUS CC 2018
The Community Connect Grant Program is a competitive federal broadband grant run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Utilities Programs. Its purpose is to help rural, economically challenged communities that currently do not have broadband service by providing funding to bring in modern broadband infrastructure and ensure residents and local institutions can access reliable, high-speed internet comparable to what is commonly available in urban and suburban areas.
At its core, the program focuses on delivering broadband at the "Broadband Grant Speed" across eligible rural service areas, with the expectation that funded projects will serve all premises in those eligible areas rather than only reaching a small pocket of customers. The intent is to close gaps in rural connectivity in a meaningful, community-wide way, so households, businesses, and essential institutions are not left behind due to geography or local economic conditions.
Grant funds can be used in three main ways. First, applicants can use funding to deploy broadband infrastructure that delivers the required speed to critical community facilities (such as schools, libraries, health clinics, public safety sites, or similar anchor institutions), as well as to rural residents and businesses. Second, the program allows funding to construct, acquire, or expand a community center, which can serve as a hub for connectivity and local services. Third, funding can be used to equip that community center so it can provide free public access to broadband at the required speed for at least two years. This community access requirement is meant to ensure that even residents who cannot immediately afford service at home still have a dependable place to get online for work, education, healthcare, and government services.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of public, private, and nonprofit organizations that might be positioned to build or operate broadband networks in rural areas. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education); and for-profit entities, including small businesses and other for-profit organizations. This wide eligibility reflects the reality that rural broadband projects are often led by different kinds of local champions depending on the region, including local governments, tribal entities, cooperatives, nonprofits, and private internet service providers.
This specific opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RDRUS CC 2018) was categorized as a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.863, with an award ceiling of $3,000,000 per award and an anticipated total of about 15 awards. The opportunity was created on March 15, 2018, with an original application closing date of May 14, 2018. Overall, the program is designed to target unserved rural areas, pair infrastructure deployment with a practical community access component, and fund projects that can deliver full-area coverage at the required broadband speed so rural communities can participate more fully in the modern economy and digital society.Apply for RDRUS CC 2018
- The Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs in the business and commerce, community development, regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Connect Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.863.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 15, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 14, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RDRUS CC 2018) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Community Connect Grant Program Apply for RDRUS CC 2019 Funding Number: RDRUS CC 2019 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Community Connect Grant Program Apply for RDRUS CC 2021 Funding Number: RDRUS CC 2021 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Community Connect Grant Program Apply for RDRUS CC 2023 Funding Number: RDRUS CC 2023 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| OWBO 2023 WBC Initial Phase for District of Columbia and Oregon Apply for SB OEDWB 23 002 Funding Number: SB OEDWB 23 002 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| OWBO 2023 Minority Serving Institutions Wave II Apply for SB OEDWB 23 003 Funding Number: SB OEDWB 23 003 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| FDI and Trade: International Engagement Ready Communities Apply for EDA HDQ RNTA 2017 2005262 Funding Number: EDA HDQ RNTA 2017 2005262 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| The Rural eConnectivity Program Apply for RUS REC 2024 1 Funding Number: RUS REC 2024 1 Agency: Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| 2024 Build to Scale Apply for EDA B2S 2024 Funding Number: EDA B2S 2024 Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Community Connect Grant Program Apply for RDRUS CC 2025 Funding Number: RDRUS CC 2025 Agency: Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
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