Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of Community Connect Broadband Grants for Tribal Nations. These grants provide financial assistance to eligible applicants, including Tribal Nations, that will provide broadband service in rural, economically-challenged areas where service currently does not exist. Eligible uses for these funds include—
- The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land, or buildings used to deploy broadband service for:
- All residential and business customers located within the Proposed Funded Service Area (PFSA); and
- All participating critical community facilities (such as public schools, fire stations, and public libraries).
- The cost of providing broadband service free of charge to the critical community facilities for 2 years.
- Less than 10% of the grant amount or up to $150,000 may be used for the improvement, expansion, construction or acquisition of a community center that provides online access to the public.
The deadline for Tribal Nations to submit an application for the USDA Community Connect Broadband Grant Program is Tuesday, February 20, 2024 by 11:59am ET. For more information on the Community Connect Broadband Grant Program and how to apply, please click here.
For more information or if you have questions, please contact Melanie Plucinski, USET Tribal Infrastructure Policy Analyst, at mplucinski@usetinc.org.
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