Rural Broadband Grant Program Available

Courthouse Journal
Washington State Association of Counties &
Washington Association of County Officials
September 23, 2002

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service is offering a grant program to provide broadband transmission service in rural America.

For FY 2002, $20 million in grants will be made available through a national competition to applicants proposing to provide broadband transmission service on a “community-oriented connectivity” basis. The “community-oriented connectivity” approach will target rural, economically challenged communities and offer a means for the deployment of broadband transmission services to rural schools, libraries, education centers, health care providers, and public safety organizations, as well as residents and businesses. This all-encompassing connectivity concept will give small, rural communities a chance to benefit from advanced technologies that foster economic growth, increase quality education and health care opportunities, and enhance public safety efforts.

Eligible applicants must be: A) either a public body; an Indian tribe; a cooperative, nonprofit, limited dividend or mutual association; a municipality; an incorporated or limited liability company; or other legally organized entity (may not be an individual or partnership); and B) have the legal authority to own and operate the broadband facilities as proposed in its application, to enter into contracts, and to otherwise comply with applicable federal statutes and regulations. The minimum matching contribution must equal 15 percent of the grant amount requested.

Applications will be accepted through November 5. For further information, contact Roberta D. Purcell, assistant administrator, USDA Telecommunications Program, at 202-720-9554. Online information and application guidance may be accessed at http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/initiatives/index_initiatives.htm.