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Bridging the Digital Divide |
Greetings, The Massachusetts Broadband Institute is writing to let you know that United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utility Service(RUS) has released a notice of funding availability (NOFA) for their Community Connect Grant Program. The NOFA is available here. Please note this grant program is NOT the new one that is currently being developed with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. The Community Connect Grant Program is a pre-ARRA grant program that was discussed during an October 2008 USDA workshop held in Northampton, MA. The purpose of the Community Connect Grant Program is to "provide financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that will provide currently unserved areas, on a ''community-oriented connectivity'' basis, with broadband transmission service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and public safety services." RUS will give priority to rural areas, applicants, and projects that best fit the grant program's eligibility requirements. There is $13,406,000 for the entire country and each grant amount will be between $50,000 and $1,000,000. The deadline for submitting grant applications is June 19, 2009. If you are considering applying for a Community Connect Grant, I would encourage you to speak to Thomas P. Jensen who is a New England field representative for USDA. He can assist you in understanding your Thomas P. Jensen, GFR New England Sincerely, The Massachusetts Broadband Institute
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