USDA Rural Utilities Service Community Connect Grants

The United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service announces the availability of the 2017 Community Connect Grants. In general, funding can be utilized to help rural communities extend access where broadband service is least likely to be commercially available, increasing rural access to internet for jobs, education, healthcare, public safety and community development.
Eligible projects include:
- Construction, acquisition or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings used to deploy broadband service for all residential and business customers located within a Proposed Funded Service Area (PFSA) or all participating critical community facilities (such as fire stations, schools and public libraries)
- Cost of providing broadband service free of charge to critical community facilities for 2 years
- Improvement, expansion, construction or acquisition of a community center that provides online access to the public
Eligible Applicants: State and local governments, non-profit and for-profit organizations
Match: 15 percent
Award Floor: $100,000
Award Ceiling: $3 million
Deadline: March 13, 2017
Contact: 202 720 0800, community.connect@wdc.usda.gov
For further information or assistance in applying for funding opportunities, contact KLJ at 701 355 8400.