On December 13, USDA https://www.usda.gov announced how the new ”ReConnect Program” will offer up to $600 million in loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America to create high-speed internet e-connectivity.
Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers, and municipalities may apply for funding through USDA’s “ReConnect Program” to help connect rural areas currently without sufficient broadband service.
USDA will make about $200 million available for grants with applications due by April 29, 2019, as well as $200 million for loan and grant combinations with applications due May 29, 2019 and $200 million for low interest loans with applications due June 28, 2019.
Projects funded through this initiative must serve communities with fewer than 20,000 people with no broadband service or where service is slower than 10 megabits (mbps) per second download and 1 mbps upload. Approved projects must create access speeds of at least 25 mbps download and 3 mbps upload. The goal is to connect agricultural areas and help with marketing, plus help e-commerce, healthcare, and education facilities.
USDA will hold a series of online webinars and regional in-person workshops. The list of upcoming public webinars and workshops can be found at the ReConnect Program’s portal at https://reconnect.usda.gov/s/
Go to https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pak/FR-2018-12-14/pdf/2018-27038.pdf for more info in the December 14, 2018 Federal Register page 64315.