On March 20, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new funding available under the Community Connect Program. The Community Connect Program allows for the support of the 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) as well as all participating critical community facilities (such as public schools, fire stations, and public libraries). Counties are eligible for funds under the program and are encouraged to apply by the June 20 deadline.

The Community Connect Program helps rural communities extend access where broadband service is least likely to be commercially available, and the program is designed to support community-oriented connectivity services that will help rural residents take advantage of the internet for job access, education, healthcare, public safety, and community development. The Community Connect Program allows for a minimum award of $150,000 and a maximum award of $5 million, and there is a 15 percent non-Federal cost share matching requirement that can be used for operating costs.

Counties are strongly encouraged to consider applying to the Community Connect Program. Counties must be authorized to build and maintain the facilities to which they are applying for grant funds. The full stipulations for the program can be found here.

The USDA will be hosting two informational webinars on the program, which can be found listed below.  

• Tuesday, March 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT: Register here 

• Tuesday, April 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT: Register here 

NACo will also be covering the Community Connect Program in a forthcoming federal funding opportunities webinar. NACo will monitor the Community Connect Program closely and provide updates as needed.