USDA Offers New Funding to Promote the Expansion of High-Speed Internet in Rural Areas

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of $20 million to deliver broadband technical assistance resources for rural communities and to support the development and expansion of broadband cooperatives. USDA is offering funding under the new Broadband Technical Assistance Program. The program supports technical assistance projects such as conducting feasibility studies, completing network designs, and developing broadband financial assistance applications. Funding is also available to help organizations access federal resources, and to conduct data collection and reporting. The USDA encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities: 

• Assisting rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure;  
• Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to USDA Rural Development (RD) programs and benefits from RD-funded projects; and  
• Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.

Applicants must choose one of the following funding categories: 

• Technical Assistance Providers: Applicants must propose to deliver broadband technical assistance that will benefit rural communities. Up to $7.5 million is available. The minimum award is $50,000. The maximum is $1 million.  
• Technical Assistance Recipients: Applicants must be the recipients of broadband technical assistance. Up to $7.5 million is available. The minimum award is $50,000. The maximum is $250,000. 
• Projects Supporting Cooperatives: Applicants must propose projects that support the establishment or growth of broadband cooperatives that will benefit rural communities.  Up to $5 million is available. The minimum award is $50,000. The maximum is $1 million.