USDA Prime Broadband

Last week, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that on November 24, USDA will begin accepting applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to expand the availability of broadband in rural areas. USDA's Rural Utilities Service is making the funding available through the ReConnect Program and plans to make available up to $200 million in ReConnect Program loans, up to $250 million in loan/grant combinations, up to $350 million in grants with a 25 percent matching requirement, and up to $350 million in grants with no matching requirement for projects in tribal and socially vulnerable communities. RUS encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities:

• Assisting rural communities recovering economically from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly disadvantaged communities,

• Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development programs and benefits from Rural Development funded projects, and

• Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.