Rural areas that lack broadband service as defined in the most recent funding announcement are eligible.

The grants can be used for:

• The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings used to deploy broadband service for:
° all residential and business
customers located within the Proposed Funded Service Area
° all participating essential
community facilities (such as public schools, fire stations, public libraries, and public safety stations)
• The cost of providing broadband service free of charge to the essential community facilities for 2 years
• Up to 10 percent of the grant may be used for the improvement, expansion, construction, or acquisition of a community center that provides online access to the public

For more information see:

https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fact-sheet/508_RD_FS_RUS_CommunityConnect.pdf

For additional details see:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1739