ConneCTed Communities Grant Program

• Grant program offering approximately $10 million in funding for broadband infrastructure development in Connecticut • Key requirements: - Must build infrastructure supporting minimum 100/100 Mbps speeds - Projects must reach substantial completion before December 31, 2026 - Focus on low-income and multi-family curb-to-home/business in underserved areas • Eligible applicants include: - Government entities (tribal, local, state) - Private for-profit companies - Non-profit organizations - Co-operatives, mutual organizations, utilities • Priority given to projects that: - Deliver end-to-end fiber optic infrastructure - Provide/scale to 1Gbps/100 Mbps speeds - Commit to quality and affordable service plans - Include higher matching funds - Have undergone extensive prior planning • Funding source: Capital Projects Fund (CPF) of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) • Important dates: - Questions deadline: 11/01/2024 - Office hours: 11/21/2024, 2-3 PM - Applications accepted on rolling basis • Technical resources and templates available for application process, including budget templates, project schedules, and location data submission requirements