Community Connect Grant Program
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- RDRUS-CC-2025
- Agency
-
Rural Utilities Services
Washington Office, Department of Agriculture
- Applications due
- Award size
- $100,000 to $5,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Categories
-
- Business and Commerce
- Community Development
- Regional Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- County Governments
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- For Profit Organizations
- State Governments
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Special District Governments
- Small Businesses
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- City/Township Governments
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Community Connect Grant Program, administered by the USDA Rural Utilities Service, provides financial assistance to deploy broadband infrastructure in rural, economically-challenged communities where high-speed internet service does not currently exist. Eligible applicants, including local governments, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations, can apply for grants to construct broadband networks capable of providing service at speeds of at least 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream to all premises in the proposed service area. Projects must also include a community center with free public computer access and offer free broadband service to essential community facilities for two years. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria such as community need, project feasibility, and sustainability. The application window opens on February 20, 2025, and submissions are due by 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time on April 21, 2025.
Approximately $26 million in grant funding is available, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $5,000,000. Successful projects will have a 3-year performance period, and awards are expected to be announced in September 2025. The grant program aims to stimulate economic development and enhance educational and healthcare opportunities in underserved rural areas.
Synopsis
The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed (100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up) to all premises in rural, economically-challenged communities where broadband service (10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up) does not exist. The deployment of broadband services on a "community-oriented connectivity" basis stimulates economic development and provides enhanced educational and health care opportunities in rural areas. RUS will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services, based on the criteria contained in the regulation and Application Guide.
The regulation for the Community Connect Grant Program can be found at 7 CFR part 1739.
All applicants should carefully review and prepare their applications according to instructions in the FY 2025 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide (Application Guide) and program resources. This Application Guide can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's own risk. Applications will be submitted through the online application system available on the program web site. The application system will open for accepting Community Connect applications on February 20, 2025. Applications must submitted by no later than 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time, April 21, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| CC 2025 NOFO.pdf |
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