The document discusses the USDA Community Connect Grant program which provides funding to deploy broadband services in rural communities where it is currently lacking. Eligible entities can receive up to $1.5 million over 3 years to fund broadband infrastructure, community centers, and operating costs to increase broadband access and adoption. The webinar and document provide information on eligibility, allowable costs, scoring criteria, and timelines for the 2014 funding round.

1. USDA Community Connect Grant
Webinar & Grants Assistance
Lauren Harris
Broadband Florida Grants Assistance
August 17, 2012
REDI Conference Call

2. Broadband Grants
Assistance Team

3. Who we are
Broadband Assistance Grants Team
• Florida Department of Management Services’ (DMS)
• Broadband Florida Initiative
• Funded by the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA)
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4. Who we are
Mission: Provide technical assistance for grant
application development to Community Anchor
Institutions at no cost in Florida in order to:
– Reduce the digital divide
– Increase the digital economy
– Improve Florida’s performance on
federal and other competitive grant applications
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5. What do we offer?
What services do we offer?
– Grants research
– Grant writing resources and training
– Project management
– Partnership development support
– Grant funding opportunity announcements
• Broadband Grants Digest eNewsletter
• Website
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6. Who we assist?
Who do we assist?
Community anchor institutions (CAI) are eligible for our services.
CAI are defined by the NTIA as :
• Schools
• Libraries
• Medical and Healthcare Providers
• Public Safety
• Institutions of Higher Education
• Community Support Organizations
• Entities that facilitate greater use of broadband services
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7. USDA Rural Utilities Service
Community Connect Grant
FY 2014

8. Purpose
The Community Connect Grant Program is
designed to provide financial assistance to furnish
broadband service in rural, economically-
challenged communities where such service does
not currently exist.
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9. Purpose
Grant funds may be utilized to:
– Deploy broadband transmission service to critical
community facilities, rural residents, and rural
businesses
– Construct, acquire, or expand a community center
– Equip and operate a community center that
provides free access to broadband services to
community residents for at least two years
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10. Purpose
What is Funded?
– Broadband System: – Community Center:
• Network equipment • 10 computers for the
• Outside plant community center, etc.
• CPE, towers • Building construction
• Tower lease • Facility improvements
• Engineering service
– Operating Expenses
• Salaries
• Maintenance costs
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11. Funding
Over 3 years:
– Minimum grant request amount is: $100,000
– Maximum grant request amount is: $1,500,000
Match:
– At least 15% of the grant amount requested
– Matching contributions are for allowable costs that
could have been financed with grant funds
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12. Who can apply?
Entities Eligible to Apply:
• Incorporated organization
• Indian Tribe or tribal organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C.
450b(b) and (c)
• State or local unit of government
• A cooperative, private corporation or limited liability company
organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.
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13. Scoring
The application scoring is based on three (3) criteria:
Objective
1. Rurality (up to 40 points)
2. Economic Need (up to 30 points)
Subjective
3. Benefits Derived (up to 30 points)
Sample Ideal Community Profile (60/70 points)
• Up to 1,000 Residents
• Community MHI ≤$26,213.55 (55th percentile or lower)
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14. Scoring Focus
Rurality (40 Points)
 Smallest communities are best positioned to receive funding
Not in
Level Over Points
Excess of
1 0 499 40
2 499 1000 35
3 1000 2000 30
4 2000 3000 25
5 3000 4000 20
6 4000 5000 15
7 5000 10000 10
8 10000 20000 5 14

15. Scoring Focus
Economic Need (30 Points)
 Communities with MHI in the 60th percentile or lower
are best positioned to receive funding.
Median Household Income is:
Percent (%) of Percent (%) of MHI Community MHI
MHI Less Greater Than or is ≤ Points
Than: Equal To:
> 75 ≥ $35,745.75 0
75 70 < $35,745.75 5
70 65 < $33,362.70 10
65 60 < $30,979.65 15
60 55 < $28,596.60 20
55 50 < $26,213.55 25
50 < < $23,830.50 30
(Percentile = Community MHI/ State MHI)
Median Household Income for Florida (2006-2010) is $47,661. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Applicant Community MHI must be $35,745.75 or lower to qualify. 15

16. Scoring Focus
Benefits Derived (30 Points)
• Discuss issues and challenges facing this community and how
the applicant’s proposal will address them
• Document community’s involvement in project planning,
implementation, and support by local residents, institutions,
and critical community facilities
• Describe how the community center will be used for
instructional purposes including Internet usage
• List Web-based community resources enabled or provided at
the Community Center
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17. Funding
Expected Funding Dates
• Funding Announcements May 2013
• Deadline June 2013
Webinar
• Look for invitation to the webinar
– September 19, 2012
– 12:00 Noon.
– To register email Lauren.Harris@dms.myflorida.com
– For more information, see the Broadband Grant Team Website
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