USDA ReConnect Rural Broadband Program

The US Department of Agriculture is accepting applications through the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program to provide $600M in funding to expand broadband across rural areas. Through the ReConnect Program, USDA is making available approximately:

• $200 million for grants
  • Maximum request is $25M
  • 100 percent of households must lack sufficient broadband access
  • 25 percent match required
• $200 million for loan and grant combinations (loan and grant amounts will always be equal)
  • Maximum request of $25M for loan and $25M for grant
  • 90 percent of households must lack sufficient broadband access
  • Interest rate on the loan will be set by US Department of Treasury upon award
• $200 million for low-interest loans
  • Maximum request is $50M
  • 90 percent of households must lack sufficient broadband access
  • Interest rate is set at a fixed 2 percent

Eligible Applicants: Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers and municipalities may apply for funding. Additionally, applicants must be in an eligible service area which requires 90-100 percent of households currently lack sufficient broadband access, and must be in a rural area with a population less than 20,000 nor adjacent to a city or town with a population greater than 50,000.

Deadline: May 31, 2019

Contact: Chad Parker, 202-720-9554, chad.parker@wdc.usda.gov

For further information or assistance in applying for funding opportunities, contact KLJ at 701-355-8400.