Opportunity Information: Apply for RDRUS CC 2014
Apply for RDRUS CC 2014
- The Utilities Programs in the agriculture community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Connect" 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 22, 2014 and posted on May 22, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 7, 2014. (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: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) State governments City or township governments Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Independent school districts Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Special district governments County governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Community Connect grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RDRUS CC 2014) is a discretionary federal grant program run through USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service (Utilities Programs). Its core goal is to fund broadband deployment in rural, currently unserved communities, using a community-oriented approach that is meant to strengthen local connectivity in a way that supports broader community outcomes. The program is framed around expanding access to broadband service where it does not already exist, with an emphasis on using that connectivity to foster economic growth and improve essential services such as education, health care, and public safety. In practice, this means proposals are expected to show not just that they will build or extend broadband infrastructure, but also that the investment will tangibly benefit the community through better access to resources, opportunities, and services that depend on reliable internet connectivity.
A key feature of the program is its prioritization of rural areas with the greatest need for broadband, based on specific criteria referenced in the announcement. That priority language signals that the program is competitive and that applications are evaluated relative to one another, with preference given to projects serving the most underserved rural communities. The opportunity also indicates that projects should be grounded in community needs, suggesting that successful applicants typically demonstrate local demand, practical plans to deliver service, and clear public benefits tied to the broadband investment rather than treating the network buildout as an end in itself.
Funding for this 2014 cycle was estimated at $13,000,000 total, with an expectation of about 10 awards. Individual awards could range from a floor of $100,000 up to a ceiling of $3,000,000, which implies the program can support both smaller targeted deployments and larger, more comprehensive community builds, depending on the scope and cost of the proposed network and associated activities. The opportunity includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning recipients are expected to contribute non-federal resources toward the project, a common structure for infrastructure-related grants that aims to increase local commitment and leverage federal dollars.
Eligibility is broad and spans many organization types that might be positioned to build or facilitate rural broadband. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, counties, cities or townships, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status), institutions of higher education (public, private, and state-controlled), small businesses, and other for-profit organizations (including those that are not small businesses). This wide eligibility range reflects the reality that rural broadband projects can be led by many kinds of entities, including local governments, community-based organizations, schools, colleges, and private-sector providers, as long as they can meet the program requirements and deliver service to unserved areas.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted and created on May 22, 2014, with an application closing date of July 7, 2014, and it was archived on July 8, 2014. The CFDA number is 10.863 (Community Connect Grant Program), and the funding activity category is listed under Agriculture and Community Development, aligning the program with USDA's rural development mission. Additional program information is referenced through a Community Connect website link. For applicant support, a point of contact was provided for those who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically: Scott Steiner, Engineering Branch Chief, at (202) 690-4673.
Community Connect Grant (Funding Opportunity Number RDRUS CC 2014) - FAQs
What is the Community Connect grant opportunity (RDRUS CC 2014)?
The Community Connect grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RDRUS CC 2014) is a discretionary federal grant program administered through USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service (Utilities Programs). It is designed to fund broadband deployment in rural communities that are currently unserved.
What is the main goal of this grant program?
The core goal is to expand access to broadband service in rural areas where broadband does not already exist, using a community-oriented approach. The program emphasizes broadband as a way to support broader community outcomes rather than treating network construction as the only objective.
What kinds of community outcomes does the program emphasize?
The opportunity highlights outcomes such as fostering economic growth and improving essential services including education, health care, and public safety. Applications are expected to connect the broadband investment to tangible community benefits that depend on reliable internet access.
Is this program just for building broadband infrastructure?
No. The description indicates proposals are expected to show both (1) that they will build or extend broadband infrastructure into unserved rural communities and (2) that the investment will provide clear, practical benefits for the community through improved access to resources, opportunities, and services enabled by broadband.
Who does the program aim to serve?
The program is targeted to rural communities that are currently unserved by broadband, with prioritization for rural areas with the greatest need based on criteria referenced in the announcement.
How are applications prioritized or selected?
The opportunity states that rural areas with the greatest need for broadband are prioritized, based on criteria referenced in the announcement. This indicates a competitive process where applications are evaluated relative to one another, with preference given to projects serving the most underserved rural communities.
What does "community-oriented approach" mean in this context?
Based on the program framing, it means projects should be grounded in community needs and demonstrate local demand, a practical plan to deliver service, and clear public benefits tied to the broadband investment.
How much funding was available in the 2014 cycle?
For the 2014 cycle, total funding was estimated at $13,000,000.
About how many awards were expected?
The opportunity expected to make about 10 awards.
What is the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards could range from $100,000 (minimum) up to $3,000,000 (maximum).
Does the grant require matching funds or cost share?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning recipients are expected to contribute non-federal resources toward the project.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: federally recognized Native American tribal governments; state governments; counties; cities or townships; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status); institutions of higher education (public, private, and state-controlled); small businesses; and other for-profit organizations (including those that are not small businesses).
Can tribal governments apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Can state and local governments apply?
Yes. State governments, counties, cities or townships, and special district governments are included among eligible applicants.
Can schools and higher education institutions apply?
Yes. Independent school districts and institutions of higher education (public, private, and state-controlled) are listed as eligible applicant types.
Can nonprofits apply, including those without 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The opportunity lists nonprofits, including 501(c)(3) organizations and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, as eligible.
Can businesses apply, including for-profit companies?
Yes. Small businesses and other for-profit organizations (including those that are not small businesses) are included in the eligibility list.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
This grant opportunity is run through USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service (Utilities Programs).
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed is 10.863 (Community Connect Grant Program).
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is listed under Agriculture and Community Development.
When was this funding opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted and created on May 22, 2014. The application closing date was July 7, 2014.
When was the opportunity archived?
It was archived on July 8, 2014.
Where is additional program information referenced?
The opportunity references additional information via a Community Connect website link.
Who is the point of contact for problems accessing the announcement electronically?
For applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically, the point of contact provided was Scott Steiner, Engineering Branch Chief, at (202) 690-4673.
What should a strong proposal generally demonstrate, based on the opportunity description?
Based on the description provided, proposals are expected to demonstrate that they will deploy broadband into rural unserved areas and that the investment will lead to tangible community benefits. The emphasis on greatest-need areas and community grounding suggests successful applications typically show local demand, a practical service delivery plan, and clear public benefits tied to improved connectivity.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RDRUS CC 2014) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Rural Community Development Initiative Apply for USDA RD HCFP RCDI 2014 Funding Number: USDA RD HCFP RCDI 2014 Agency: Utilities Programs Category: Agriculture Community Development Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Rural Community Development Initiative Apply for USDA RD HCFP RCDI 2015 Funding Number: USDA RD HCFP RCDI 2015 Agency: Utilities Programs Category: Agriculture Community Development Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Children, Youth Families at Risk Sustainable Community Projects Apply for USDA CSREES SLBCD 002524 Funding Number: USDA CSREES SLBCD 002524 Agency: CSREES Category: Agriculture Community Development Funding Amount: $140,000 |
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