Bill To Spur High-Speed Broadband Projects In Rural Communities

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO-06) and Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) introduced the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act, a bill to remove barriers for communities seeking to use Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants to develop high-speed broadband access. The legislation would remove hurdles for broadband projects under EDA grants, including difficult last-mile efforts that often delay rural broadband deployment.  It also ensures that local communities can partner with the private sector in carrying out broadband projects and gives communities more flexibility in complying with their funding match requirements. The bill:

• Eliminates barriers to investments in broadband in distressed communities, making them eligible for EDA grants.
• Clarifies that eligible recipients may include public-private partnerships and consortiums to leverage private sector expertise in project development.
• Provides flexibility in the procurement process to account for limited availability of broadband services in distressed communities.
• Clarifies that funds can be combined with other federal resources.
• Provides flexibility on accounting for in-kind methods to meet non-federal cost share.