USDA Offers New Funding to Promote the Expansion of High-Speed Internet in Rural Areas
$20 million in Technical Assistance Funding is Available to Plan High-Speed Internet Projects in Rural Communities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the $20 million Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) grant program to deliver broadband technical assistance resources for rural communities, and to support the development and expansion of broadband cooperatives.
Funds can be used to promote broadband expansion in eligible rural areas and include activities such as project planning and community engagement, operations, financial sustainability, environmental compliance, construction and engineering planning, accessing federal resources.
Grant awards range from $50,000, to the maximum award amount of $1 million.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include:
• Federally recognized Tribes and Tribal entities
• State or local governments, including agencies and subdivisions, among others
• Territories or possessions of the United States
• Institutions of higher education (including 1862 Land-Grant Institutions, 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities)
• Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS status
• Cooperatives or mutual organizations
• Corporations
• Limited Liability Companies or Limited Liability Partnerships
BTA Funding Opportunity Announcement Webinar: May 8, 2023, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM PT
BTA Funding Opportunity Announcement Webinar for Tribes and Tribal Entities: May 18, 2023, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM PT
Broadband Technical Assistance Program
