Opportunity Information: Apply for RDRUS CC 2015
Apply for RDRUS CC 2015
- The Utilities Programs in the business and commerce community development regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Connect Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.863 Community Connect Grant Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 7, 2015 and posted on Jan 7, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 17, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $13,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: For profit organizations other than small businesses Special district governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments City or township governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Independent school districts County governments Small businesses Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Community Connect Grant Program (Community Oriented Connectivity Broadband Grant Program) is a competitive federal grant opportunity intended to bring high-speed broadband to rural, economically challenged communities that currently lack broadband service. The central goal is to help close the rural connectivity gap by funding projects that deliver broadband at the required "Broadband Grant Speed" across an entire eligible rural service area, so that rural households and businesses can access a level and quality of service comparable to what is commonly available in urban and suburban places.
Grant funds can be used in three main ways. First, applicants can use funding to deploy broadband infrastructure and service to critical community facilities (such as public safety, education, health, and other essential local institutions), as well as to rural residents and rural businesses within the eligible area. Second, funds may support the construction, acquisition, or expansion of a community center tied to the project. Third, the program can pay to equip that community center so it can provide free public access to broadband at the Broadband Grant Speed for at least two years, ensuring the project has an immediate, tangible community benefit beyond private connections to homes and businesses.
This opportunity is administered by the Utilities Programs and was offered as a discretionary grant. The total estimated funding available under this announcement was $13,000,000, with an expected 10 awards. Individual awards ranged from a floor of $100,000 up to a ceiling of $3,000,000. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should be prepared to contribute a portion of project costs from non-grant sources as part of the application and budget plan.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that might be positioned to build and operate broadband networks in rural areas. Eligible applicants include for-profit companies (including small businesses), nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), state and local governments (including counties, cities or townships), special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations. Awards are made on a competitive basis, so proposals are compared against one another and selected based on how well they meet the program requirements and objectives, including serving all premises in the eligible rural area at the required broadband speed.
For this specific posting (Funding Opportunity Number RDRUS CC 2015; CFDA 10.863), the opportunity was posted on January 7, 2015, and closed on February 17, 2015, with an archive date of March 19, 2015. Applicants needing assistance accessing the full announcement were directed to contact Scott Steiner, Engineering Branch Chief, at 202-720-0806, and additional program details were provided through the Community Connect Grant Program website.
Community Connect Grant Program (Community Oriented Connectivity Broadband Grant Program) FAQs
1) What is the Community Connect Grant Program?
The Community Connect Grant Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity intended to bring high-speed broadband to rural, economically challenged communities that currently lack broadband service. Its core purpose is to help close the rural connectivity gap by funding projects that deliver broadband at the required "Broadband Grant Speed" across an entire eligible rural service area.
2) What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?
The central goal is to fund broadband projects that provide rural households and businesses with a level and quality of service comparable to what is commonly available in urban and suburban areas, by ensuring the required broadband speed is delivered throughout the eligible rural service area.
3) Is this a competitive grant or a formula entitlement?
This is a competitive grant. Awards are made on a competitive basis, meaning proposals are evaluated against each other and selected based on how well they meet the program requirements and objectives.
4) Who administers this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the Utilities Programs and was offered as a discretionary grant.
5) What can grant funds be used for?
Grant funds can be used in three main ways:
- Deploy broadband infrastructure and service to critical community facilities (such as public safety, education, health, and other essential local institutions) and to rural residents and rural businesses within the eligible area.
- Support the construction, acquisition, or expansion of a community center tied to the project.
- Equip the community center so it can provide free public access to broadband at the Broadband Grant Speed for at least two years.
6) What are "critical community facilities" in the context of this program?
Critical community facilities include essential local institutions such as public safety, education, and health facilities, along with other essential local institutions referenced by the program.
7) Does the program support a community center as part of the project?
Yes. The grant may support the construction, acquisition, or expansion of a community center tied to the proposed broadband project.
8) Can grant funds be used to provide free public broadband access?
Yes. The program can pay to equip the community center so it can provide free public access to broadband at the Broadband Grant Speed for at least two years.
9) Why is the community center component important?
The community center component is intended to provide an immediate, tangible community benefit beyond private connections to homes and businesses by offering free public access to broadband at the required speed for at least two years.
10) What is the total estimated funding available under this announcement?
The total estimated funding available under this announcement was $13,000,000.
11) How many awards were expected under this announcement?
This announcement expected approximately 10 awards.
12) What is the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards ranged from a floor of $100,000 up to a ceiling of $3,000,000.
13) Is matching or cost sharing required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should be prepared to contribute a portion of project costs from non-grant sources as part of the application and budget plan.
14) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes a broad range of organization types, including:
- For-profit companies (including small businesses)
- Nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3))
- State and local governments (including counties, cities, or townships)
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations
15) Are for-profit companies allowed to apply?
Yes. For-profit companies, including small businesses, are listed as eligible applicants.
16) Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.
17) Are state, local, or special district governments eligible?
Yes. State and local governments (including counties, cities, or townships) and special district governments are eligible.
18) Are schools and universities eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education are eligible applicants.
19) Are housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included in the eligibility list.
20) Are Native American tribes and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations are eligible applicants.
21) What type of communities does the program aim to serve?
The program is intended for rural, economically challenged communities that currently lack broadband service, with projects designed to deliver broadband at the required speed across an entire eligible rural service area.
22) Does a project need to serve the entire eligible rural service area?
Projects are expected to deliver broadband at the required "Broadband Grant Speed" across an entire eligible rural service area, and proposals are evaluated in part on how well they meet this objective, including serving all premises in the eligible rural area at the required speed.
23) What is meant by "Broadband Grant Speed"?
The program requires projects to deliver broadband at the required "Broadband Grant Speed." The provided information describes this as the required speed level the project must deliver throughout the eligible service area, including for free public access at the community center for at least two years.
24) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number for this posting?
For this specific posting, the Funding Opportunity Number is RDRUS CC 2015 and the CFDA number is 10.863.
25) When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
This opportunity was posted on January 7, 2015, and closed on February 17, 2015.
26) When was the archive date for this posting?
The archive date for this posting was March 19, 2015.
27) Who should applicants contact for help accessing the full announcement?
Applicants needing assistance accessing the full announcement were directed to contact Scott Steiner, Engineering Branch Chief, at 202-720-0806.
28) Where can additional program details be found?
Additional program details were provided through the Community Connect Grant Program website.
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