Biden-Harris Administration Accepting Applications for $1 Billion Rural High-Speed Internet Program

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for ReConnect Program loans and grants to expand access to high-speed internet for millions of people in rural America nationwide. USDA is making more than $1 billion available from the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA). The USDA has made several improvements to the ReConnect Program for the current round of applications:

• Allowing applicants to serve areas where at least 50% of households lack sufficient access to high-speed internet,
• Adding a funding category for projects where 90% of households lack sufficient access to high-speed internet where applications submitted under this category, no matching funds will be required, and
• Waiving the matching funds requirement for  Alaska Native Corporations, Tribal Governments, projects proposing to provide service in colonias,  projects proposing to serve persistent poverty counties, and projects proposing to provide service in socially vulnerable communities.

Additionally, all awardees under this funding round are required to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to help the low-income, un-, and underserved afford the broadband service. The application deadline is November 2nd. More details can be found here.