United States Department of Agriculture Announces Funding Opportunity to Expand High-Speed Internet Access in Rural Areas Through Cooperatives

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development (RD) is currently accepting applications for the Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Program, a program made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. USDA will invest $25 Million through the BTA program to help cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, local organizations, and Tribes expand affordable, high-speed internet projects in rural communities. Eligible applicants, including cooperatives across sectors, must SUBMIT AN APPLICATION NO LATER THAN 11:59 P.M. EASTERN TIME ON AUGUST 20, 2024.

Under this second round of funding for the Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Program, applicants may apply for one of two funding categories.

• Technical Assistance Providers category, applicants must propose to deliver broadband technical assistance that will benefit rural communities. Up to $15 million is available. The minimum award is $100,000. The maximum is $1 million. 

• Technical Assistance Recipients category, applicants must be the recipients of the broadband technical assistance. Up to $10 million is available. The minimum award is $50,000. The maximum is $500,000.

The BTA program provides a range of eligible uses for cooperatives to promote the expansion of broadband services into rural areas. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting entities in identifying and planning for delivering broadband service to eligible rural areas;

• Identifying resources to finance broadband facilities from public and private sources;

• Preparing feasibility studies, financial forecasts, market surveys, environmental studies, and technical design information to support broadband services;

• Preparing reports and surveys necessary to support the need for broadband services, the price range and to request financial assistance;

• Analyzing and improving operations related to the management of broadband facilities (i.e., implementing automation, adopting new software, conducting training, etc.) and improving the efficiency of the entity

To see the full list of eligible entities and uses, view the BTA program homepage. To access the BTA application, view this Funding Opportunity. For additional information on for the Broadband Technical Assistance Program, view this FAQpage, Federal Register Notice, or follow the contact USDA linkselecting "Broadband Technical Assistance" as the subject.

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