Description
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is offering grants under the Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) program for Fiscal Year 2024. The program aims to support the expansion of broadband services in rural areas by providing cooperative agreement funding to eligible entities. The funding can be used for various activities such as project planning, community engagement, financial sustainability, environmental compliance, and data collection. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Tribes, state or local governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, corporations, and limited liability companies. The application process involves submitting a written narrative proposal, completing a Standard Form 424, and providing additional attachments. The selection process will be based on scores and funding availability, with a maximum of 120 points possible. Key priorities for the program include assisting rural communities in recovering economically, ensuring equitable access to USDA programs, and reducing climate pollution.
• The program has two funding categories: up to $15 million for technical assistance providers and up to $10 million for technical assistance recipients.
• The minimum award is $100,000 for technical assistance providers and $50,000 for technical assistance recipients, with maximum awards of $1 million and $500,000, respectively.
• Applicants must demonstrate their ability to successfully carry out the proposed project and provide specific details regarding the qualifications of key personnel.
• The program encourages projects that advance racial justice, place-based equity, and opportunity, as well as those that create more and better markets in rural communities.