Community Connect Grant Program

 

To encourage community-oriented connectivity by providing grants to eligible applicants who will deploy broadband transmission service in rural communities where such service does not currently exist; who will connect all critical community facilities such as local schools, education centers, libraries, hospitals, health care providers, law enforcement agencies, public safety organizations, fire, and rescue services, as well as residents and businesses; and who will operate a community center which provides free and open access to area residents.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
10.863
Federal Agency/Office
Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Not applicable.
Authorization
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005; Title III: Rural Development Programs; Rural Utilities Service; Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program; Public Law 108-447.
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
To be eligible for a grant, the applicant must: (a) be legally organized as an incorporated organization, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, a state or local unit of government, or other legal entity, including cooperatives or private corporations or limited liability companies organized on a for profit or not-for profit basis, and (b) have the legal capacity and authority to own and operate the broadband facilities as proposed in its application, to enter into contracts and to otherwise comply with applicable federal statutes and regulations.
Beneficiary Eligibility
The people living in rural areas and to improve rural opportunities through the availability of access to high speed broadband networks.
Credentials/Documentation
See 7 CFR part 1739 for details.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. To be eligible for a grant, the applicant must: (a) be legally organized as an incorporated organization, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, a state or local unit of government, or other legal entity, including cooperatives or private corporations or limited liability companies organized on a for profit or not-for profit basis, and (b) have the legal capacity and authority to own and operate the broadband facilities as proposed in its application, to enter into contracts and to otherwise comply with applicable federal statutes and regulations.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Submit an application in accordance with 7 CFR 1739 and its accompanying application guide.
Award Procedure
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to applicants receiving the highest number of points.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Applications are approved each fiscal year for which funding is made available.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
Not applicable.
How may assistance be used?
Grants will be made available, on a competitive basis, for the deployment of broadband services to critical community facilities, rural residents, and rural businesses and for the operation of a community center which would provide free access to broadband services to community residents for at least two years. . See 7 CFR Part 1739 for details.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Project performance activity reports are required annually.
Auditing
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements, Subpart F, Audit Requirements (Revised, December 26, 2013) nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Subpart F. Entities which do not meet the criteria for applicability in 2 CFR 200 will have an audit prepared in accordance with 7 CFR 1773, Policy on Audits of RUS Borrowers and Grantees.
Records
Grantee will provide evidence that funds are expended for approved purposes. For profit entities owe an audit for any year in which funds are expended. Other entities (state and local governments, non-profits, etc.) are subject only if more than $750,000 is expended.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. 15%. The grant applicant must contribute a matching contribution which is at least 15 percent of the grant amount requested and this must be in cash in an account of the awardee at the time of closing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Applicants generally have three years to spend funds. Extensions may be granted. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Funds may be advanced monthly or as needed to reimburse disbursements for approved grant purposes. Funds may be advanced monthly or as needed to reimburse disbursements for approved grant purposes.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Assistant Administrator, Telecommunications Program
Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., STOP 1590
Washington, DC 20250 US
laurel.leverrier@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 720-9554.
Website Address
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-connect-grants
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-1232-0-1-452
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 22$9,999,604.00; FY 23 est $85,602,773.00; FY 24 est $35,000,000.00; FY 21$46,981,068.00; FY 20$15,772,959.00; FY 19$24,263,631.00; FY 18$30,000,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$100,000 to $3,000,000 with an average size of $2,499,901. For FY22, these awards were carryover from FY21. The program was not open in FY22.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
7 CFR 1739: Broadband Grant Program, Subpart A - Community Connect Grant Program
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 



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