RBC I USDA Rural Development State Director Trudy Kareus announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is soliciting applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Community Connect Program grants, providing funds to establish essential broadband services in rural communities where it is currently not available.
“Many rural communities in Colorado do not have access to broadband,” said Kareus. “USDA’s Community Connect Grant Program ensures that rural residents have the ability to manage their small businesses, gain access to excellent educational resources and benefit from the infinite services that fast, reliable broadband provides.”
The minimum amount of grants awarded will be $100,000; the maximum is $3,000,000. The deadline for applications to be submitted is Feb. 17. To view the rules, go to: www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-05-03/pdf/2013-10502.pdf. Since its inception, the Community Connect program has funded 237 projects with investments of $149 million. For more information, see page 75120 of the Dec. 17, 2014, Federal Register, www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-12-17/pdf/2014-29600.pdf.
President Obama’s historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way—strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities, Kareus said.
