The purpose of the Community Connect Grant Program is to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that will provide currently unserved areas, on a ‘‘community-oriented connectivity’’ basis, with broadband service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and public safety services.
Eligibility
The following entities are eligible for funding:
- Incorporated Organizations;
- Indian Tribes or Tribal Organizations, as defined in 25 U.S.C. 450b(e);
- State or local units of government; or
- Cooperatives, private corporations or limited liability companies organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.
Applications
Applications for the 2013 Fiscal Year are now being accepted.
Fund Uses
Grant funds may be used to finance the following:
- The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, including spectrum, land or buildings, used to deploy service at the Broadband Grant Speed to all residential and business customers located within the Proposed Funded Service Area (PFSA) and all participating Critical Community Facilities, including funding for up to 10 Computer Access Points to be used in the Community Center. Buildings constructed with grant funds must reside on property owned by the awardee. Leasing costs will only be covered through the advance of funds period included in the award documents;
- The improvement, expansion, construction, or acquisition of a Community Center and provision of Computer Access Points. Grant funds for the Community Center will be limited to 10% of the requested grant amount. If a community center is constructed with grant funds, the center must reside on property owned by the awardee; and
- The cost of providing the necessary bandwidth for service free of charge to the Critical Community Facilities for two years.
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