Opportunity Information: Apply for RDRUS CC 2016
Apply for RDRUS CC 2016
- The USDA-RUS in the 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 19, 2016 and posted on Apr 19, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 17, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The USDA Rural Utilities Service (USDA-RUS) Community Connect Grant Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity aimed at bringing modern broadband to rural, economically challenged areas where broadband service does not currently exist. The core purpose is to help close the rural connectivity gap by funding projects that deliver broadband at the program's required "Broadband Grant Speed" to every premise in an eligible rural service area. In practical terms, the program is trying to ensure that households, businesses, and essential local institutions in remote communities can access a level of internet service comparable to what is commonly available in urban and suburban areas.
Grant funds can be used in three main ways. First, applicants can use funding to deploy broadband service at the required speed to critical community facilities (for example, places like schools, libraries, health clinics, public safety sites, and other anchor institutions), as well as to rural residents and rural businesses throughout the proposed service territory. Second, the grant can support construction, acquisition, or expansion of a community center. Third, the program can fund equipment for that community center so it can provide free public access to broadband at the required speed for at least two years. This community-center component is a key feature of Community Connect: it pairs infrastructure deployment with a public access option so residents have a place to get online even if they cannot immediately subscribe at home.
The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant under the broader funding activity areas of community development and regional development (CFDA/Assistance Listing 10.863). It is open to a wide range of applicant types, including state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other eligible tribal entities; public housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits); and for-profit entities, including small businesses. Awards are made competitively, meaning proposals are reviewed against each other and funding goes to the strongest applications based on program priorities and requirements, particularly the ability to serve all premises in the eligible area at the required broadband speed.
For this specific posting (Funding Opportunity Number RDRUS CC 2016), the agency anticipated making about 10 awards, with a maximum award amount (award ceiling) of $3,000,000 per grant. The opportunity was posted on April 19, 2016, with an application closing date of June 17, 2016.
USDA-RUS Community Connect Grant Program (RDRUS CC 2016) FAQs
1) What is the USDA-RUS Community Connect Grant Program?
The USDA Rural Utilities Service (USDA-RUS) Community Connect Grant Program is a competitive federal grant program designed to bring modern broadband service to rural, economically challenged areas where broadband service does not currently exist. Its main goal is to close the rural connectivity gap by funding projects that deliver broadband at the program's required "Broadband Grant Speed" to every premise in an eligible rural service area.
2) What problem is this grant program trying to solve?
The program targets remote communities that lack broadband service. By funding broadband deployment and a community access option, it aims to help ensure that rural households, businesses, and essential local institutions can access an internet service level comparable to what is commonly available in urban and suburban areas.
3) Is this a competitive grant or a formula grant?
This is a competitive (discretionary) grant. Applications are reviewed against each other, and awards go to the strongest proposals based on program priorities and requirements.
4) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this posting?
The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) provided for this posting is RDRUS CC 2016.
5) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The program is identified as CFDA/Assistance Listing 10.863.
6) What types of projects can Community Connect grant funds be used for?
Grant funds can be used in three main ways:
- Deploy broadband service at the required speed to critical community facilities (such as schools, libraries, health clinics, public safety sites, and other anchor institutions) and to rural residents and rural businesses across the proposed service territory.
- Support construction, acquisition, or expansion of a community center.
- Fund equipment for the community center so it can provide free public access to broadband at the required speed for at least two years.
7) What are "critical community facilities" in this program?
Based on the examples provided, critical community facilities include schools, libraries, health clinics, public safety sites, and other anchor institutions that serve essential community needs.
8) What is the required broadband performance standard mentioned in the notice?
The notice describes a required "Broadband Grant Speed." Funded projects are intended to deliver broadband at that required speed to every premise in an eligible rural service area.
9) Does the project have to serve the entire proposed service area?
Yes. A central program requirement highlighted in the description is the ability to serve all premises in the eligible area at the required broadband speed.
10) Who can apply for the Community Connect Grant Program?
The opportunity is open to a wide range of applicant types, including:
- State governments
- County governments
- Local governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized tribal governments and other eligible tribal entities
- Public housing authorities
- Nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits)
- For-profit entities, including small businesses
11) Are for-profit companies eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit entities are listed as eligible applicants, including small businesses.
12) Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations are eligible, including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits.
13) Are tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other eligible tribal entities are included as eligible applicant types.
14) Are educational institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. Independent school districts and both public and private institutions of higher education are included as eligible applicants.
15) What kinds of communities does the program target?
The program focuses on rural, economically challenged areas where broadband service does not currently exist, with the intent of bringing modern broadband connectivity to those communities.
16) What is the "community center" component and why is it important?
A key feature of Community Connect is pairing broadband infrastructure deployment with a public access option. Grant funds can support a community center (through construction, acquisition, or expansion) and can also pay for equipment so the center can provide free public access to broadband at the required speed for at least two years. This provides residents with a place to get online even if they cannot immediately subscribe at home.
17) Does the community center have to provide free public broadband access?
Yes. The description states that the community center component includes providing free public access to broadband at the required speed for at least two years.
18) How long must the community center provide free public access?
The community center must provide free public access to broadband at the required speed for at least two years, as stated in the opportunity description.
19) How many awards were anticipated under this specific posting?
For this specific posting (RDRUS CC 2016), the agency anticipated making about 10 awards.
20) What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed for this posting is $3,000,000 per grant.
21) When was this funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on April 19, 2016.
22) What was the application closing date for this posting?
The application closing date listed for this opportunity was June 17, 2016.
23) Under what broad funding activity areas is this program categorized?
The opportunity is categorized under the broader funding activity areas of community development and regional development.
24) What will proposals be evaluated on, according to the description provided?
The description emphasizes that proposals are reviewed competitively and that funding goes to the strongest applications based on program priorities and requirements, particularly the ability to serve all premises in the eligible area at the required broadband speed.
25) Can the grant be used to expand an existing community center?
Yes. The description states grant funds can support the construction, acquisition, or expansion of a community center.
26) Can the grant be used to buy equipment for a community center?
Yes. The program can fund equipment for the community center so it can provide free public access to broadband at the required speed for at least two years.
27) Does the program support broadband for homes and businesses, or only institutions?
The description indicates the program supports broadband deployment to rural residents and rural businesses throughout the proposed service territory, in addition to critical community facilities.
28) Who administers this grant program?
This grant opportunity is offered through the USDA Rural Utilities Service (USDA-RUS).
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