External Grants
Many local governments rely on external grants to support their local broadband initiatives. Various federal agencies, state agencies, and philanthropic organizations make resources available to local governments to advance their broadband and digital inclusion goals.
Federal Grants
- The National Telecommunications and Information Administration manages a number of grant programs that support local broadband expansion.
- NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunities Program – The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) was an approximately $4 billion grant program administered by NTIA to help bridge the technological divide; create jobs; and improve education, health care, and public safety in communities across the country. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, BTOP projects are deploying broadband Internet infrastructure, enhancing and expanding public computer centers, and encouraging the sustainable adoption of broadband service. This program is no longer offering grants.
www.ntia.doc.gov/category/broadband-technology-opportunities-program
- NTIA State Broadband Initiative – NTIA’s State Broadband Initiative implements the joint purposes of the Recovery Act and the Broadband Data Improvement Act, which envisioned a comprehensive program, let by state entities or nonprofit organizations working at their direction, to facilitate the integration of broadband and information technology into state and local economies. Since the program’s inception, NTIA has awarded a total of $293 million to 56 grantees.
- In its report, BroadbandUSA: Guide to Federal Funding of Broadband Projects, NTIA has compiled information on other federal grant programs that can be used to support broadband expansion at the local level. This guide is an extremely valuable resource for helping local leaders to navigate the federal programs and funding opportunities that are available.
http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/files/broadband_fed_funding_guide.pdf
- New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program - The NMTC Program attracts private capital into low-income communities by permitting individual and corporate investors to receive a tax credit against their federal income tax in exchange for making equity investments in specialized financial intermediaries called Community Development Entities. The NMTC Program can be used for investments in broadband.
https://www.cdfifund.gov/programs-training/Programs/new-markets-tax-credit/Pages/default.aspx
State Grants
- A number of states have broadband expansion programs through which local governments can receive grant funding.
- Connect NY Broadband Program – Connect NY is a program administered by New York State’s Broadband Program Office. The program provides grant funding to support various broadband projects, using an auction format.
http://nysbroadband.ny.gov/ConnectNY2012
- ConnectME Authority - The ConnectME Authority is a component unit of Maine state government whose mission is to facilitate the universal availability of broadband to all Mainers and help them understand the valuable role it can play in enriching their lives and helping their communities and businesses thrive. ConnectME supports local efforts through infrastructure grants and community broadband planning grants.
http://www.maine.gov/connectme/about/index.shtml
- Wisconsin State Broadband Office: LinkWISCONSIN Initiative – Since 2009, the initiative has been collecting and mapping broadband coverage information for improved planning purposes. As part of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (Commission), the State Broadband Office (SBO) works with stakeholders to build partnerships with providers and consumers to enhance broadband across the state. The SBO also administers broadband improvement funding through the annual Broadband Expansion Grant Program.
http://www.link.wisconsin.gov/
- Many other states have similar broadband funding programs.
Foundation Grants
- National and local foundations have also been active supporters of broadband expansion initiatives.
- The Blandin Foundation - Since making rural broadband use and access a focus in 2003, Blandin Foundation has partnered with leaders in nearly 70 communities and 110 organizations across the state. Two objectives are core to the hundreds of projects that have emerged from this work: sustainable broadband adoption and enriched quality of life and place. Through the Blandin Community Broadband Program, the foundation extends its focus through 2016 with up to $1.5 million in grants and technical support available to rural Minnesota communities.