Opportunity Information: Apply for RDRUS CC 2012
Apply for RDRUS CC 2012
- The Utilities Programs in the community 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 May 7, 2012 and posted on May 7, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 18, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $10,372,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: County governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses For profit organizations other than small businesses State governments City or township governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Community Connect Grant Program is a federal discretionary grant opportunity run through USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service (Utilities Programs). It is built around the idea that reliable broadband is not just a convenience in rural America, but a basic piece of infrastructure tied directly to economic development, education, health care access, and public safety. The program provides grant funding to help bring broadband transmission service to rural areas that are currently unserved, with an emphasis on extremely rural and lower income communities where the need is considered greatest.
A defining feature of this program is its focus on "community oriented connectivity." In practical terms, that means the funding is aimed not only at building or extending broadband facilities, but at making sure the service supports everyday community uses and measurable local benefits. The intent is to spur practical applications of broadband that can translate into job growth and business development, stronger educational opportunities, improved health care connectivity, and better support for emergency services and public safety operations. The program frames broadband deployment as a tool for community improvement, not simply a construction project.
USDA indicates that it will prioritize rural areas with the greatest need for broadband based on criteria contained in the governing regulation. While the notice itself highlights the priorities and purpose, it also points applicants to the formal rule for detailed requirements: 7 CFR 1739, subpart A. The announcement specifically notes that it was formatted to align with an Office of Management and Budget financial assistance policy directive published in 2003, but that this notice does not change the underlying Community Connect regulations.
For this particular funding round (Funding Opportunity Number RDRUS CC 2012), the estimated total funding available was $10,372,000. Individual awards were expected to range from a floor of $100,000 to a ceiling of $1,500,000. The program requires cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants must plan for some level of non-federal contribution as part of the project financing.
Eligible applicants are broad and include multiple types of public, nonprofit, and private entities: county governments; state governments; city or township governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); small businesses; and for-profit organizations that are not small businesses. This structure allows communities to apply through local governments, tribal entities, mission-driven organizations, or private providers, depending on who is best positioned to build and operate the service in the target unserved area.
Key timeline details in the notice show the opportunity was posted on May 7, 2012, and closed on June 18, 2012, with the archive date listed as July 18, 2012. The assistance is offered as a grant (not a loan), categorized under community development, and listed under CFDA number 10.863 (Community Connect Grant Program).
For applicants or stakeholders who needed help accessing the full announcement at the time, the notice provided a point of contact in the Broadband Division: Kenneth Kuchno, Director, reachable by phone at 202-690-4389. The notice also references an additional information link labeled "Community Connect Grant Program" for more details.
Community Connect Grant Program (USDA Rural Development) - FAQs
What is the Community Connect Grant Program?
The Community Connect Grant Program is a federal discretionary grant opportunity administered by USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service (Utilities Programs). It is designed to support broadband transmission service deployment in rural areas that are currently unserved.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The program treats reliable broadband as essential rural infrastructure tied to economic development, education, health care access, and public safety. Funding is intended to help bring broadband service to unserved rural communities, with an emphasis on extremely rural and lower income areas where the need is considered greatest.
What does "community oriented connectivity" mean in this program?
"Community oriented connectivity" means the program focuses on more than building or extending broadband facilities. The intent is to ensure broadband service supports practical, everyday community uses and produces measurable local benefits, such as job growth and business development, improved educational opportunities, better health care connectivity, and stronger support for emergency services and public safety operations.
Who runs the Community Connect Grant Program?
The program is run through USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service (RUS), specifically within its Utilities Programs.
Is this funding a grant or a loan?
This opportunity provides assistance in the form of a grant (not a loan).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for the round described here?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed for this round is RDRUS CC 2012.
How much total funding was available for this funding round?
The estimated total funding available for this round was $10,372,000.
What was the expected award size range?
Individual awards were expected to range from $100,000 (minimum) to $1,500,000 (maximum).
Does the program require cost sharing or matching?
Yes. The program requires cost sharing/matching, meaning applicants must plan for a non-federal contribution as part of the overall project financing.
What types of applicants are eligible?
Eligible applicants listed in the notice include:
- County governments
- State governments
- City or township governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Small businesses
- For-profit organizations that are not small businesses
Can private sector providers apply?
Yes. The eligible applicant list includes both small businesses and for-profit organizations that are not small businesses.
Can nonprofit organizations apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status are eligible, with the exception that institutions of higher education are excluded from that nonprofit category as stated in the notice.
Can tribal governments apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.
What kinds of communities does USDA say it will prioritize?
USDA indicates it will prioritize rural areas with the greatest need for broadband, with an emphasis on extremely rural and lower income communities. The specific priority criteria are contained in the governing regulation referenced in the notice.
Where are the detailed program requirements defined?
The notice points applicants to the formal rule for detailed requirements: 7 CFR 1739, subpart A. The announcement notes that it does not change the underlying Community Connect regulations.
Does this notice change the official Community Connect regulations?
No. The notice explicitly states it does not change the underlying Community Connect regulations, even though it was formatted to align with an Office of Management and Budget financial assistance policy directive published in 2003.
What was the posting date for this opportunity?
The opportunity was posted on May 7, 2012.
What was the application closing date?
The closing date listed in the notice was June 18, 2012.
When was this opportunity archived?
The archive date listed in the notice was July 18, 2012.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is listed under CFDA number 10.863 (Community Connect Grant Program).
How is this opportunity categorized?
The assistance is categorized under community development.
What outcomes is the program trying to achieve through broadband deployment?
The program frames broadband deployment as a tool for community improvement, aiming to support outcomes such as economic development, job growth and business development, stronger educational opportunities, improved health care connectivity, and better emergency services and public safety operations.
Who was the point of contact for help with the announcement?
The notice provided a point of contact in the Broadband Division: Kenneth Kuchno, Director.
How could applicants contact the listed point of contact?
Kenneth Kuchno was reachable by phone at 202-690-4389.
Was there an additional information link mentioned?
Yes. The notice references an additional information link labeled "Community Connect Grant Program" for more details.
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