The Federal Register reports…

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the acceptance of applications under the Community Connect Grant (CCG) program for fiscal year (FY) 2025. This notice is being issued prior to passage of an FY 2025 appropriations act in order to allow applicants sufficient time to prepare their applications and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2025. Based on FY 2024 appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $26 million will be available, for FY 2025. These grant funds will be made available to eligible applicants to construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

DATES:

The application window opens on February 20, 2025. Completed applications for grants must be submitted electronically by no later than 11:59 a.m. eastern time (ET), April 21, 2025.

ADDRESSES:

All applications must be submitted electronically at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/​community-connect. This funding opportunity will also be posted to https://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Randall Millhiser, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 1590, Room 4121-S, Washington, DC 20250-1590, telephone: (202) 720-0800, email: Randall.Millhiser@usda.gov.

For inquiries regarding eligibility concerns, please contact the Community Connect Program Staff at https://www.rd.usda.gov/​programs-services/​telecommunications-programs/​community-connect-grants#contact.