Thanks to Bernadine Joselyn for sending the heads up on the latest Rural Utilities Service Grants. (It was just posted yesterday.)

Here are the fast facts from the announcement. Good luck!

Deadline: Mar 28, 2008
Expected Number of Awards: 27
Estimated Total Program Funding: $13,405,500
Award Ceiling: $1,000,000
Award Floor: $50,000

Eligible Applicants: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, and Small businesses

Description: The Community-Oriented Connectivity Broadband Grant Program is designed to provide financial assistance to furnish broadband service in rural, economically-challenged communities where such service does not currently exist. Grant funds may be utilized to deploy broadband transmission service to critical community facilities, rural residents, and rural businesses and to construct, acquire, or expand, equip, and operate a community center that provides free access to broadband services to community residents for at least two years. Grants will be awarded, on a competitive basis, to entities serving communities of up to 20,000 inhabitants to ensure rural consumers enjoy the same quality and range of telecommunications service as are available in urban and suburban communities.