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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Community Connect Grant Program (USDA) FAQs
What is the Community Connect Grant Program?
The Community Connect Grant Program is a competitive federal broadband grant administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Utilities Programs. It is designed to help rural, economically challenged communities that currently do not have broadband service by funding modern broadband infrastructure and related community access components.
What problem is this program intended to solve?
The program targets gaps in rural connectivity where communities lack broadband service. Its goal is to help rural areas access reliable, high-speed internet that is comparable to what is commonly available in urban and suburban areas, so residents and local institutions are not disadvantaged due to geography or local economic conditions.
Who administers this grant?
This grant is run by the USDA through its Utilities Programs.
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. The Community Connect Grant Program is described as a competitive federal broadband grant.
What types of communities does the program focus on?
The program focuses on rural, economically challenged communities that currently do not have broadband service.
What does the program expect projects to deliver within the funded area?
Funded projects are expected to deliver broadband at the required "Broadband Grant Speed" across eligible rural service areas, with an emphasis on serving all premises in those eligible areas rather than only a small pocket of customers.
What is meant by "Broadband Grant Speed" in this opportunity description?
Within the provided description, "Broadband Grant Speed" refers to the required broadband speed standard that funded projects must deliver across eligible rural service areas and at the community center public access site(s). (The specific numeric speed is not included in the information provided.)
Does the program emphasize full-area coverage or partial buildouts?
The program emphasizes community-wide impact. The intent is to close gaps in rural connectivity in a meaningful way by serving all premises in eligible areas rather than building only limited coverage to a small subset of locations.
What can grant funds be used for?
Grant funds can be used in three main ways: (1) deploying broadband infrastructure to deliver the required speed to critical community facilities as well as rural residents and businesses; (2) constructing, acquiring, or expanding a community center; and (3) equipping that community center to provide free public access to broadband at the required speed for at least two years.
What are examples of "critical community facilities" mentioned for broadband deployment?
The description lists examples such as schools, libraries, health clinics, public safety sites, and similar anchor institutions.
Can the grant support broadband service to households and businesses?
Yes. The funding can be used to deploy broadband infrastructure that serves rural residents and businesses, in addition to critical community facilities.
Is a community center required as part of the project?
The program description highlights a community access component: grant funds may be used to construct, acquire, or expand a community center, and to equip it to provide free public broadband access. The opportunity emphasizes this community access requirement as a way to ensure dependable connectivity for residents who cannot immediately afford service at home.
How long must the community center provide free public broadband access?
The community center must provide free public access to broadband at the required speed for at least two years.
Why does the program include a free public access requirement?
The requirement is meant to ensure that residents who cannot immediately afford home service still have a dependable place to get online for work, education, healthcare, and government services.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes a wide range of public, private, and nonprofit organizations that may be positioned to build or operate broadband networks in rural areas.
Are state, county, or local governments eligible applicants?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments, as well as special district governments.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofits eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are included as eligible applicants, excluding institutions of higher education.
Are for-profit entities eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit entities, including small businesses and other for-profit organizations, are included as eligible applicants.
Are institutions of higher education eligible under the nonprofit category?
No. The description specifies that nonprofits are eligible excluding institutions of higher education.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this specific opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RDRUS CC 2018.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA 10.863.
What type of grant is this categorized as?
This opportunity was categorized as a discretionary grant.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $3,000,000 per award.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated a total of about 15 awards.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on March 15, 2018.
When was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was May 14, 2018.
What is the overarching goal of the program?
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.
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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 |
| Community Connect Grant Program Apply for RDRUS CC 2026 Funding Number: RDRUS CC 2026 Agency: Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
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