New Broadband Funding Opportunity for Rural Communities

This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced the latest window to receive applications for Rural eConnectivity (ReConnect) Program support to extend broadband networks in rural areas. RUS will accept ReConnect applications starting March through April 22, 2024. These loan and grant funds will be awarded to qualified applicants to fund the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service. RUS is seeking applications that advance the following priorities:

• Assisting rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure;
• Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to 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.