Current Broadband Funding Programs

millions of dollars are available
for broadband research and development projects

Funding to create your Arizona success story!

Federal funding

Congress, almost by default, has designated the USDA as the agency most involved in broadband funding.

The USDA RUS programs, patterned after the Rural Electrification programs and Rural Phone System programs, are the conduits through which the bulk of Congressional appropriations (grants and loans) are currently funneled.

The US Dept of Commerce / NTIA has also had some on and off responsibility over the years, including most reviently the AARA of 2009 / 2010, You will need to contact them directly to find out if there is anything currently available.

There are currently 4 main ongoing programs for funding Broadband projects:

FCC Universal Service Fund Program

USDA Community Connect Grants

USDA Farm Bill Broadband Loan Program (DLT)

USDA Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program

NOTE: There are many lesser sources and programs that can be researched here.

FCC Universal Service Fund Program

The FCC Universal Service Fund Program is essentially a subsidy program for increasing telecommunications.

A private firm has been created and hired to manage the program – Universal Service Administration Corp (USAC).

About $7.5 billion in funding comes annually from the USF fee we pay as part of our phone bill. No tax dollars (appropriations from Congress) are mixed into that revenue – subsidy in/out process.

Community Connect Grants*

The Community Connect Program serves rural communities where Broadband service is least likely to be available, where it can make a huge difference in the quality of life for citizens.

Applications for the 2011 Fiscal Year are not currently being accepted since the application period for this program ends in May.

Watch for next year's program starting in the next fiscal year.

* USDA sites are best accessed with Internet Explorer, since some searches don't work using Firefox.

Farm Bill Broadband Loan Program (DLT)*

The Farm Bill Broadband Program is designed to provide loans for funding, on a technology neutral basis, for the costs of construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment to provide Broadband service to eligible rural communities.

Applications are accepted year round, on a first come, first served, noncompetitive basis.

* USDA sites are best accessed with Internet Explorer, since some searches don't work using Firefox.

Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program*

The Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program makes long-term direct and guaranteed loans to qualified organizations for the purpose of financing the improvement, expansion, construction, acquisition, and operation of telephone lines, facilities, or systems to furnish and improve Telecommunications service in rural areas.

Applications are accepted year round, on a first-come, first-served, noncompetitive basis.

* USDA sites are best accessed with Internet Explorer, since some searches don't work using Firefox.

More Federal funding programs can be found on the following sites:

Grants.gov

All Federal grant applications are ultimately processed through this site, making this a comprehensive resource to find and APPLY for Federal grants.

Grants.gov Browse by Category

NOTE: Although all Federal grant applications must be processed through Grants.gov, the USDA Rural Development and the HUD Housing and Urban Development sites (listed below) have more complete descriptions and are generally more useful for researching information, including what grants are open and available, and information about available loan programs.

USDA Rural Development Grants

Although all Federal grants are ultimately processed through Grants.gov, this site can be very useful for researching what grants are open and available, as well as available loan programs.

NOTE: USDA sites are best accessed with Internet Explorer, since some searches don't work using Firefox.

USDA-Rural Development

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Corporation for National and Community Service

Department of Education

Department of Energy

Department of Transportation

Department of Commerce

Local and nonprofit broadband related funding possibilities

Arizona Strategic Enterprise Technology (ASET)

Arizona Broadband Planning and Mapping Program

NOTE: Opportunities with the following organizations are difficult to find and get, requiring research.
You will need to contact them directly to find out if there is anything currently available.

CISCO

Community Foundation for Southern Arizona

Our Mission:

To promote and facilitate broadband access through public-private cooperation – to provide all Arizona citizens and businesses the means to utilize high volume digital information and services at a reasonable cost – to create economic opportunity and improve quality of life for every person, organization, and community throughout Arizona.

- Digital Arizona Program

Connect with us: