The ReConnect Program offers loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America without sufficient access to broadband.
The awards made under this program will bring high-speed broadband to rural areas that lack sufficient access to broadband.
The delivery of broadband connection and high-quality service will enable technologies critical to rural communities, such as precision agriculture.
The pilot program will fuel long-term economic development and opportunities in rural America.
In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. To date, USDA has awarded $191 million through the ReConnect program. These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload.
For 2020, USDA will make available up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. The application window for this round of funding will open Jan. 31, 2020. Applications for all three funding types (grant, combination loan and grant and loan) will be accepted in the same application window, which will close March 16, 2020.
For all funding categories, the proposed funded service area must be in an area where 90% of the households do not have sufficient access to broadband. Applicants must propose to build a network capable of providing service to all premises in the proposed funded service area at a speed of 25 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 3 Mbps upstream.
A full description of 2020 ReConnect Pilot Program funding is available on page 67913 of the Dec. 12, 2019, Federal Register (PDF, 336 KB). To learn more about eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect . For questions about the ReConnect program and applications call (202) 720-2791 or send the question by email to askusda@usda.gov. Arizona Contact: Brian Smith, U.S. Department of Agriculture, General Field Representative for Arizona / New Mexico - Telecommunications Program, Rural Development U.S. Department of AgricultureBrian.Smith@wdc.usda.govPhone : 623-293-0913
Apply for ReConnect funding at https://reconnect.usda.gov from January 31, 2020 until 3 p.m. Pacific Time on March 16, 2020 for all three funding types: grant, combination grant and loan and loan.
Governor Ducey Announces Major New Investments In Rural Broadband
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced tens of millions of dollars in new investments to connect rural Arizona to fast, reliable internet. During the State of the State Address, Governor Ducey said: We need to connect all parts of our growing state. Rural areas still lack high-speed Internet. Let’s triple our investment in Rural Broadband Grants, and also invest $50 million in Smart Highway Corridors to install broadband along our rural interstates. This will make our highways safer and smarter than ever before and pave the way to get all of rural Arizona logged on.
Smart Highway Corridors Nearly $50 million in funding for Smart Highway Corridors will enable the Arizona Department of Transportation to install over 500 miles of broadband conduit and fiber optic cable along designated highway segments throughout rural areas of the state. The new corridors will improve highway safety while providing future broadband capacity for smart infrastructure projects in Arizona’s rural and tribal areas. Designated areas for investment include:
Interstate 17 between Sunset Point and Flagstaff;
Interstate 40 between the Arizona-New Mexico and Arizona-California borders;
And Interstate 19 between Tucson and Nogales.
Rural Broadband Development Grants Governor Ducey also announced an additional $10 million in Rural Broadband Development Grants, more than three times last year’s investment. The funding will accelerate the enhancement of broadband infrastructure and enhance economic growth and quality of life in rural areas. Last year’s additional investment alone helped fund projects such as:
Providing high-speed fiber cable service to approximately 400 business customers in Payson, Star Valley and Tonto Apache Tribe.
Providing high-speed broadband service at speeds up to 10 Gbps symmetrical to roughly 35,000 residents in Bullhead City, Fort Mohave and Mohave Valley.
Creating a new fiber-optic middle mile to Page to serve 310 small businesses and 1,066 households in the area.
WeCom USDA Grant Recipient
Total Project cost: $2,221,917.00
Wecom’s infusion (portion Wecom must cover) $555,479.00
USDA Contribution $1,666,438.00
More than 54 square miles per USDA calcs
More than 1492 Household types served per USDA calcs
More than 1744 housing units initially covered ( with much greater impact in the future) according to USDA calcs.
Approximately 100 miles of fiber which is used for fiber to the home, fiber to the business, fiber to the node (for wireless point to multi point deployments) and backhual
4+ farms served, 27+ business served, 6+ education facilities served, 3+ critical community facilities served, 1+ Health Care centers served
Will serve the Hualapai Tribal lands (residents, government, and businesses).
