Our clients submit over $3M in grant applications to USDA RUS Community Connect Program
DEADLINE 6/19/09
With the assistance of Aspen Wireless our clients successfully submitted over $3M in grant applications across 4 states to the USDA RUS under the Community Connect program, which NOFA totaled $13M in available funds.
The Community Connect program is NOT a stimulus-related program but rather an annual program by the USDA RUS for the funding of broadband networks:
- UNSERVED: Communities not served by broadband AND
- RURALITY: Under 20,000 Population Ranked by tier and/or
- NEED: Below 75% State Median Household Income (MHI) ranked by tier
- MATCH: These grants last for a period of 2 years and include both capital and operational costs with only a 15% matching requirement (which can be certain in-kind contributions).
Community Connect grant applications must be submitted on a community-by-community basis, individually and show significant work with and involvement by the local community in planning. An additional requirement is to build or create a staffed digital community center with computers and free broadband access, operating beyond the first 2 years.
Aspen Wireless created the grant applications, (wireless) broadband network engineering, and financial modeling as well as work by gaining local support from Senators, Public Safety Offices, Economic Development Districts, County and City Commissioners, Mayors and Educators.
We appreciate our clients’ trust in us and look forward to many successful grant awards for these rural communities in need of broadband.
