Opportunity Information: Apply for RDRUS CC 2019
The Community Connect Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Utilities Service (RUS), designed to bring first-time broadband service to rural, economically challenged communities that currently lack broadband access. The core purpose is to fund projects that will deploy broadband infrastructure and deliver service at or above the program's required Broadband Grant Speed to every premise in the proposed funded service area. By focusing on "community-oriented connectivity," the program aims to do more than extend internet lines; it targets practical community outcomes such as local economic growth, better educational access, and improved health care options in rural regions.
A central feature of the program is prioritization based on need. RUS indicates it will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services, using evaluation criteria laid out in the program materials and governing rules. The formal regulatory framework for the program is found at 7 CFR part 1739, which applicants are expected to follow closely. The notice also highlights a terminology update from the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334): the defined term "Critical Community Facilities" has been renamed to "Essential Community Facilities." This change is presented as a naming update only, with no substantive change to what the term means for project planning and eligibility.
Eligible applicants are broad and include many types of public, nonprofit, and private entities. Specifically, eligibility includes state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); private institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. This wide eligibility is meant to accommodate the reality that rural broadband projects are often led by a mix of local governments, cooperatives, nonprofits, schools, and private providers depending on local capacity and market conditions.
For the FY 2019 funding round referenced in the source data (Funding Opportunity Number RDRUS CC 2019; CFDA 10.863), the program anticipated making about 15 awards, with an award ceiling of $3,000,000 per grant. The application window in the provided listing opened around February 12, 2019, with an original closing date of April 15, 2019. As with many federal grant programs, the listing emphasizes that applicants should follow the specific instructions in the FY 2019 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide and consult the program's supporting resources on the USDA Rural Development website. It also makes clear that any costs incurred while developing an application are borne by the applicant, meaning there is no reimbursement for proposal development work if an award is not made.
Finally, the opportunity is framed within USDA's broader rural prosperity goals. The agency signals that it is looking for projects that produce measurable results and strengthen rural communities through infrastructure investment, partnerships, and innovation. The notice connects proposed projects to a set of high-level strategies: achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America, developing the rural economy, harnessing technological innovation, supporting a rural workforce, and improving quality of life. In practical terms, strong applications are expected to show not only how broadband will be deployed and sustained, but also how the project will translate connectivity into concrete community benefits, especially in places that have been left out of existing broadband markets.Apply for RDRUS CC 2019
- The Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs in the business and commerce, community development, regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Connect Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.863.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 12, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 15, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Community Connect Grant Program FAQs
What is the Community Connect Grant Program?
The Community Connect Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Utilities Service (RUS). It is designed to bring first-time broadband service to rural, economically challenged communities that currently lack broadband access.
What is the main goal of this grant program?
The core purpose is to fund projects that deploy broadband infrastructure and deliver service at or above the program's required Broadband Grant Speed to every premise in the proposed funded service area. The program also emphasizes "community-oriented connectivity," meaning it looks for projects that translate broadband access into practical community outcomes.
What kinds of community outcomes does the program aim to support?
Beyond building infrastructure, the program targets outcomes such as local economic growth, improved educational access, and better health care options in rural regions. The grant is framed as a way to strengthen rural communities through connectivity that leads to measurable results.
Who administers the program?
The program is administered by USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and is part of USDA Rural Development efforts to advance rural prosperity goals.
What types of projects are funded?
Funded projects are expected to deploy broadband infrastructure and provide broadband service at or above the required Broadband Grant Speed across the entire proposed funded service area. The program materials indicate projects should also demonstrate how the new connectivity will be used to produce real community benefits.
Does the program prioritize certain communities over others?
Yes. RUS indicates it will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services, based on evaluation criteria described in program materials and governing rules.
What rules govern the Community Connect Grant Program?
The program's formal regulatory framework is found at 7 CFR part 1739. Applicants are expected to follow these requirements closely, along with the specific instructions provided in the program's application guidance.
What is meant by "first-time broadband service" in this program context?
The opportunity is explicitly designed to bring first-time broadband service to eligible rural communities that currently lack broadband access. Applicants should ensure their proposed funded service area aligns with the program's focus on places without existing broadband access, as described in the program materials.
What is the "Broadband Grant Speed" requirement?
The program requires that funded projects deliver broadband service at or above the program's required Broadband Grant Speed to every premise in the proposed funded service area. The specific speed standard is referenced as a program requirement and is defined within the program materials and rules.
What does "every premise" mean for a proposed funded service area?
Based on the program description, the expectation is service delivery at or above the required Broadband Grant Speed to every premise located within the proposed funded service area. Applicants should design projects to cover the full area proposed for funding, rather than partial coverage.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of public, nonprofit, and private entities, including:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations
- Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories)
- Private institutions of higher education
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
Are nonprofit organizations eligible if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, with a stated exclusion for institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories.
Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?
Private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible. The listing also notes an exclusion related to institutions of higher education within the nonprofit categories ("nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status"), meaning institutions of higher education are not included under those nonprofit headings as described.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligibility includes for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and it also includes small businesses. In other words, both small businesses and other for-profit organizations are identified as eligible categories.
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are specifically listed as eligible applicants.
What is the FY 2019 Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
For the FY 2019 round referenced, the Funding Opportunity Number is RDRUS CC 2019 and the CFDA number is 10.863.
How many awards were anticipated for the FY 2019 round?
The FY 2019 listing anticipated making about 15 awards.
What was the maximum award amount for the FY 2019 round?
The award ceiling for the FY 2019 round was $3,000,000 per grant.
When did the FY 2019 application window open and close?
The listing indicates the application window opened around February 12, 2019, with an original closing date of April 15, 2019.
Where should applicants look for official application instructions?
Applicants are directed to follow the instructions in the FY 2019 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide and to consult supporting resources on the USDA Rural Development website.
Are application development or proposal preparation costs reimbursable?
No. The listing states that any costs incurred while developing an application are borne by the applicant, meaning there is no reimbursement for proposal development work if an award is not made.
What is the meaning of "Essential Community Facilities" in this program?
The notice explains that the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 renamed the defined term "Critical Community Facilities" to "Essential Community Facilities." This is presented as a naming update only, with no substantive change to what the term means for project planning and eligibility.
Does the term change from "Critical" to "Essential" change program eligibility or requirements?
No. The change is described as terminology only, with no substantive change to the meaning of the term for project planning and eligibility.
What does USDA say it is looking for in strong projects?
The opportunity is framed within broader rural prosperity goals, and the notice signals interest in projects that produce measurable results and strengthen rural communities through infrastructure investment, partnerships, and innovation. Practically, applications are expected to show how broadband will be deployed and sustained, and how the project will translate connectivity into concrete community benefits.
How does this grant opportunity connect to USDA rural development strategies?
The notice connects proposed projects to high-level USDA strategies, including achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America, developing the rural economy, harnessing technological innovation, supporting a rural workforce, and improving quality of life.
Is the program only about building broadband lines and infrastructure?
No. While infrastructure and service delivery are central requirements, the program emphasizes "community-oriented connectivity" and encourages applicants to demonstrate how broadband access will drive real-world benefits for the community.
What is meant by "need-based prioritization" in this program?
RUS indicates it will prioritize rural areas demonstrating the greatest need for broadband services. The specific scoring or evaluation factors are laid out in the program materials and rules referenced in the notice.
What should an applicant be prepared to demonstrate in their application?
Based on the notice, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate: (1) how they will deploy broadband infrastructure, (2) how they will deliver service meeting or exceeding the required Broadband Grant Speed to every premise in the proposed funded service area, and (3) how the project will produce measurable community benefits aligned with the program's community-focused goals.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RDRUS CC 2019) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Community Connect Grant Program Apply for RDRUS CC 2021 Funding Number: RDRUS CC 2021 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Community Connect Grant Program Apply for RDRUS CC 2023 Funding Number: RDRUS CC 2023 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| OWBO 2023 WBC Initial Phase for District of Columbia and Oregon Apply for SB OEDWB 23 002 Funding Number: SB OEDWB 23 002 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| OWBO 2023 Minority Serving Institutions Wave II Apply for SB OEDWB 23 003 Funding Number: SB OEDWB 23 003 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| FDI and Trade: International Engagement Ready Communities Apply for EDA HDQ RNTA 2017 2005262 Funding Number: EDA HDQ RNTA 2017 2005262 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| The Rural eConnectivity Program Apply for RUS REC 2024 1 Funding Number: RUS REC 2024 1 Agency: Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| 2024 Build to Scale Apply for EDA B2S 2024 Funding Number: EDA B2S 2024 Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Community Connect Grant Program Apply for RDRUS CC 2025 Funding Number: RDRUS CC 2025 Agency: Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Community Connect Grant Program Apply for RDRUS CC 2026 Funding Number: RDRUS CC 2026 Agency: Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
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