Laurel Leverrier
202.720.9554
laurel.leverrier@usda.gov

Online contact form

The Rural eConnectivity Broadband Loan and Grant Program (Short title: ReConnect) provides funding to expand broadband service to rural areas without sufficient broadband access, which is defined as 100 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 20 Mbps upstream.

Applicants are limited to one of the following project types:

1. 100% grant - The proposed funded service area for this category must be in an area where 90% of the households do not have sufficient broadband access.
2. 50% grant/50% loan - The proposed funded service area for this category must be in an area where 90% of the households do not have sufficient broadband access.
3. 100% loan - The proposed funded service area for this category must be in an area where 90% of the households do not have sufficient broadband access.
4. 100% grant for tribes and socially vulnerable communities - Funding for tribal governments and communities defined as socially vulnerable, with a proposed funded service area located in an area where 90% of the households do not have sufficient broadband access

ReConnect provides funding for:

• Construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities required to provide service at a minimum of 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream
• Acquisition of an existing system not currently providing sufficient access to broadband, under certain circumstances and with restrictions
• Some pre-application expenses may also be eligible for reimbursement

Eligible applicants include:

• Nonprofit entities
• For-profit corporations
• Limited liability companies
• Cooperative or mutual organizations
• States, local governments, or any agency, subdivision, instrumentality, or political subdivision thereof
• Territories or possessions of the United States
• Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act

The type and amount of award will depend on the type of financing or funding that best fits the applicant's business model, service area, and financial plan.

100% grant:

• Award ceiling: $35,000,000
• Total funding available: $350,000,000
• 25% match required

50% grant/50% loan :

• Award ceiling: $25,000,000 loan and $25,000,000 grant
• Total funding available: $250,000,000
• Interest rate: Set at the Treasury rate for the remaining amortization period at the time of each advance of funds

100% loan:

• Maximum loan request: $50,000,000
• Total funding available: $200,000,000
• Interest rate: Set at a fixed 2%

100% grant for tribes and socially vulnerable communities:

• Award ceiling: $35,000,000
• Total funding available: $350,000,000
• No match required

While this program is currently inactive, webinars have been scheduled to prepare for the next application cycle.

Applicant webinar
(Registration required)
June 29, 2022
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern

Application instructions will be are available in the Federal Register, grants.gov, and the program website.

Apply using the online application portal.

Additional guidance, application materials, and other resources are available on the forms and resources page.