[1st-mile-nm] USDA Community Connect Program
Richard Lowenberg
rl at 1st-mile.org
Wed Mar 21 08:49:16 PDT 2018
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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