Community connect grant

Award: Community Connect Grant Program (CFDA 10.863)

Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service

Recipient: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Award Amount: $4,758,558

Award Date: September 16, 2025

Project Completion Date: September 16, 2027

Place of Performance: Durant, OK 74702

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma received $4.76 million in federal grant funding to deploy broadband transmission service in rural Oklahoma communities currently lacking adequate connectivity. Under the Community Connect Grant Program, the recipient will construct broadband infrastructure capable of delivering service at speeds of at least 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream to all premises in economically-challenged rural areas where broadband service below 10 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream does not currently exist. The funding supports broadband network construction, establishment and operation of community centers providing free public broadband access for a minimum of two years, and connection of critical community facilities such as schools, hospitals, and emergency services. This award aligns with the Rural Utilities Service's competitive grant program, which has historically funded 234 broadband deployment projects totaling $304.5 million since 2007. Recipients are granted three years to expend awarded funds, with monthly advancement or reimbursement of approved project expenses available throughout the performance period.