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The Native village of Tatitlek, in Alaska's Prince William Sound, has broadband service through USDA Community Connect program
The Community Connect program serves rural communities where broadband service is least likely to be available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for citizens. The projects funded by these grants will help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the Internet.
*Community Connect Grant Program Fiscal Year 2012 Webinar on May 24, 2012: Flyer*
** Due to the overwhelming response RUS has received, we will be hosting a 3rd webinar on June 7th: Flyer. Space is limited so contact us soon to ensure you can attend this important workshop!**
For the 2012 program, please note that the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) published in the Federal Register on May 3, 2012 in one instance reflected the wrong due date for paper applications. RUS clarifies that all applications must be submitted by June 18, 2012.
Eligibility
The following entities are eligble for funding::
- Incorporated Organizations
- Indian Tribes or Tribal Organizations, as defined in 25 U.S.C. 450b(b) and (c).
- State or local units of government, or
- Cooperative, private corporations or limited liability companies, organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis
Eligible areas include:
- A single community with a population less than 20,000 which does not have Broadband Transmission Service
Applications
Applications for the 2012 Fiscal Year are now being accepted. Completed applications must be postmarked, hand delivered, or submitted through www.grants.gov by June 18, 2012 in order to be considered for funding.
Fund Uses
Funds may be used to build broadband infrastructure and establish a community center which offers free public access to broadband for two years.
Resources
Program Notices
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Corporations that have been convicted of a felony (or had an officer or agent acting on behalf of the corporation convicted of a felony) within the past 24 months are not eligible. Any Corporation that has any unpaid federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, is not eligible for financial assistance provided with funds appropriated by the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012, P.L. No. 112-55.
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All applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. Any organization that applies for a Community Connect Broadband grant must provide their DUNS number on the SF-424, "Application for Federal Assistance." DUNS numbers are available without charge. See DUNS Q&A.
- RUS advises applicants that the migration of the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system to the new System for Award Management (SAM) has been delayed until July of 2012.
- Applicants wishing to apply for a Community Connect Broadband grant online can do so at www.grants.gov. Your organization must have a DUNS number and complete the CCR registration process before submitting an application online.
Success Stories
Contact Information
For questions about the Community Connect Grant Program, please contact program staff, Thera Swersky or Steven Levine at community.connect@wdc.usda.gov.
Broadband Division, Telecommunications Program (202) 690-4673.
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