Public or private entities involved in the development of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and delivery of internet service can find the latest information on federal and state funding programs for broadband infrastructure on this page.
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Data provided is from public data sources. Additional data must be gathered to understand measured speeds in the planned service area. Evaluation for federal grant programs will be contingent on a certified count of eligible sites in the proposed service area.
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Grant Funding Opportunities to Service Providers for Network Expansion or Improvement |
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USDA Reconnect Grant & Loan program
Program Description
The ReConnect Program furnishes grants and loans for the costs of new construction, improvements, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in rural areas. Service provided must exceed 25 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads, however additional points are awarded for higher speeds. See below for maps of our region's eligible areas and evaluation criteria.
Award Amounts
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Past Awards in TexasIn February 2020 Mid-South Synergy was awarded a $6 million ReConnect grant to deploy a Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network capable of symmetrical transmission speeds of at least 100 megabits per second (Mbps) to 786 households, 26 farms, 17 pre-subscribed businesses and 7 critical community facilities over 385 square miles in Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker counties.
Press release of past awards in Texas. |
Current Funding Cycle Information
This program is not yet open for applications. The ReConnect program was appropriated $635 million in the federal COVID-19 relief package passed in December 2020. We recommend interested parties PREPARE FOR A FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT IN Q2 of 2021. Funding windows are typically open for 90 days.
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Get the latest information on Broadband Funding Announcements
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Where can funds be applied?
Use the following maps below to toggle through data on eligible areas, additional layers tied to evaluation criteria, and an index of likely higher-scoring areas.
Eligible Areas
Eligibility Criteria |
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To receive ReConnect funds, the proposed service area must meet the following criteria:
Disclaimer The maps and details on this page are a place to start; however additional localized speed tests and on-the-ground analysis will be required in order to receive funding. |
Application Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation CriteriaThe ReConnect Program awards points to applicants based on:
Disclaimers The maps and details on this page are a place to start; however additional localized speed tests and on-the-ground analysis will be required in order to receive funding. |
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Concentration of Evaluation Criteria
The map above is based on an index combining all place-based evaluation criteria to understand where applicants might consider for focusing their efforts.
Disclaimers The maps and details on this page are a place to start; however additional localized speed tests and on-the-ground analysis will be required in order to receive funding. |
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Prepare Your Application
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ContactHave questions about this page?
Jillian Donatto Senior Planner [email protected] Have a technical question related to your proposed service area? Joe D. Bradley, USDA Field Representative for Texas [email protected] 325-266-4818 |
USDA community connect grant program
Program Description
The Community Connect program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service in rural, economically-challenged communities where service does not exist. Applicants must provide connection to a community facility with a mid-mile fiber line or other strategic technology that is not mobile or satellite-based.
Award AmountsGrant requests range from $100,000 to $3 million. A 15% match is required.
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Past Awards in TexasComcell, Inc. will use a $2.3 million grant to construct a Fiber-to-the-Premises network and a wireless broadband network in Newport, Texas. The proposed area covers 73 square miles and 150 households located in Clay, Jack and Montague counties. Broadband speeds of 1 Gbps on the proposed fiber network and 100 Mbps on the wireless network will be available. The investment will also set up six computer access points with free internet access within the Newport Community Center.
See all past awards from 2013 - 2019. |
Eligible Service Areas
To receive Community Connect funds, the proposed service area must meet the following criteria:
- Lack Broadband Service: Lack any existing service of at least 10/1 Mbps. Service excludes satellite and mobile services.
- Be in A Rural Area: Proposed service area must not be in a city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 or an area contiguous and adjacent to a city with a population of greater than 50,000.
- Other Important Criteria: Proposed service area should not overlap with areas that have received prior funding such as other federal loans or grants in previous cycles.
Eligible Uses of Funds
- The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings used to deploy broadband service for: All residential and businesses in the Proposed Funded Service Area (PFSA) and all participating critical community facilities, such as schools and libraries.
- The cost of providing service free of charge to critical community facilities for 2 years.
- Less than 10% of the grant or up to $150,000 can be used for improvement, construction or acquisition of a community center that provides public service.
Where can funds be applied?
Use the following maps below to toggle through data on eligible areas, additional layers tied to evaluation & scoring criteria, and an index of likely higher-scoring areas.
Eligible Area Map
Prepare Your Application
For more specifics on the program to begin preparing an application visit the thinks below.
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Contact
Have questions about this page? Jillian Donatto Senior Planner [email protected] 713-993-4547 Have a technical question related to program requirements? Joe D. Bradley, USDA Field Representative for Texas [email protected] 325-266-4818 |
NTIA Broadband infrastructure program
Program description
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 includes $300 million of broadband and connectivity expansion funding for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Programs will include the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grants, Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Grants, and the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. Watch the March 2021 Webinar on all NTIA Grant Programs within the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 here.
Award Amounts
TBD
Eligible Applicants
Covered partnerships. Program eligibility is limited to “covered partnerships,” defined as: “(a) a State, or 1 or more political subdivisions of a State; and (b) a provider of fixed broadband service.”
Eligible Service Area. Covered partnership projects must provide service within any area other than—(i) a county, city, or town that has a population greater than 50,000; and (ii) the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town with a population greater than 50,000. Existing broadband speeds in the area must not exceed 25/3 Mbps.
Eligible Uses of Funds
Grant funds must be awarded to projects that provide the following, in decreasing order of priority:
(A) broadband service to the greatest number of households in an eligible area.
(B) broadband service in any area other than
(i) a county, city, or town that has a population greater than 50,000; and
(ii) the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town with a population greater than 50,000.
(C) are the most cost-effective, prioritizing areas that are the most rural.
(D) Covered broadband projects designed to provide broadband service with spends not less than 100/20 Mbps.
Current Funding Cycle Information
Estimated release for Notice of Funding announcement is between Q2-Q3 of 2021. It is highly recommended that eligible entities begin preparing applications.
Contact
Scott Woods, Manager, Technical Assistance, BroadbandUSA
Email: [email protected]
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 includes $300 million of broadband and connectivity expansion funding for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Programs will include the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grants, Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Grants, and the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. Watch the March 2021 Webinar on all NTIA Grant Programs within the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 here.
Award Amounts
TBD
Eligible Applicants
Covered partnerships. Program eligibility is limited to “covered partnerships,” defined as: “(a) a State, or 1 or more political subdivisions of a State; and (b) a provider of fixed broadband service.”
Eligible Service Area. Covered partnership projects must provide service within any area other than—(i) a county, city, or town that has a population greater than 50,000; and (ii) the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town with a population greater than 50,000. Existing broadband speeds in the area must not exceed 25/3 Mbps.
Eligible Uses of Funds
Grant funds must be awarded to projects that provide the following, in decreasing order of priority:
(A) broadband service to the greatest number of households in an eligible area.
(B) broadband service in any area other than
(i) a county, city, or town that has a population greater than 50,000; and
(ii) the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town with a population greater than 50,000.
(C) are the most cost-effective, prioritizing areas that are the most rural.
(D) Covered broadband projects designed to provide broadband service with spends not less than 100/20 Mbps.
Current Funding Cycle Information
Estimated release for Notice of Funding announcement is between Q2-Q3 of 2021. It is highly recommended that eligible entities begin preparing applications.
Contact
Scott Woods, Manager, Technical Assistance, BroadbandUSA
Email: [email protected]