USDA offers rural Internet access grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the availabilityof $13.4 million in broadband Internet connectivity grants for ruralcommunities.

The Community Connect Grant Program provides grants totelecommunications providers and municipalities to finance theinstallation of broadband service in rural communities, wherebroadband is least likely to be available.

Grant funds may be used to deploy broadband transmission serviceto critical community facilities, rural residents and ruralbusinesses. In addition, recipients may construct, acquire orexpand, equip and operate a community center that provides freeaccess to broadband services to community residents for at least twoyears.

"The Community Connect Grant Program is an essential fundingsource in ensuring access to broadband technology is available torural communities," Michael W. Aube, Maine's USDA rural developmentstate director, said in a press release issued Monday.

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis totelecommunications providers and municipalities serving communitiesof up to 20,000 inhabitants. That number was chosen to ensure ruralconsumers benefit from the grants, and in turn receive access to thesame quality and range of telecommunications services that areavailable in urban and suburban communities.

Applications must be received no later than March 28, 2008. Forinformation, visit www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/commconnect.htm orcontact Gary Vanidestine, utilities program specialist, at 990-9121or gary.vanidestine@me.usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economicopportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.