The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating a total of $600 million to broadband infrastructure expansion to rural areas across the country. $200 million will be distributed through grants, $200 million will be distributed through loan and grant combinations, and $200 million through low-interest loans.

The funding, approved by Congress in early 2018 through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, was directed to the USDA for disbursement through the Rural e-Connectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program). The ReConnect Program awards funding for improved broadband e-Connectivity infrastructure for as many rural families, businesses, farms, schools, and health care facilities as possible without sufficient broadband access, defined as 10 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and one Mbps upstream.

Entities eligible to apply for funding under the ReConnect Program include:

  • State, local governments, or any agency, subdivision, instrumentality, or political subdivision thereof;
  • Non-profit entities;
  • For-profit corporations;
  • Limited liability companies;
  • Cooperative or mutual organizations;
  • A territory or possession of the United States; and
  • An Indian tribe

Only projects that are determined to be financially feasible and sustainable by USDA are eligible for a financial award. Funding can be used to pay for construction or improvement of buildings, land, or other facilities necessary for broadband services; reasonable pre-application costs; for acquisition or improvement of an existing system; and to fund terrestrial based facilities for satellite broadband.

Application deadlines are as follows:

  • May 31, 2019- Grants;
  • June 21, 2019- Loan/grant combinations; and
  • July 12, 2019- Low-interest loans

Applications can be completed here.

To test broadband in your area, use the National Association of Counties (NACo) app, TestIT. So far, there have been more than 7,300 downloads of the app and more than 38,000 tests.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate