Broadband Technical Assistance | RUS BTA 2024

Opportunity Information: Apply for RUS BTA 2024

The USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS), through USDA Rural Development, is offering the Fiscal Year 2024 Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) opportunity to help speed up broadband expansion in rural America by funding planning, training, and other forms of hands-on technical support. This is a competitive, discretionary funding opportunity, and awards will be made as cooperative agreements, meaning RUS may remain actively involved with recipients during the life of the project in ways that are typical for cooperative agreements (as opposed to a more hands-off grant). The core purpose is practical: pay for expert assistance that helps rural communities and broadband stakeholders move from ideas to ready-to-build projects and stronger funding applications.

BTA funds are specifically meant to support broadband technical assistance activities that promote broadband expansion into rural areas. The program is not framed as construction funding; instead, it focuses on the steps that often block rural projects from getting off the ground, such as early-stage analysis and project development. The announcement highlights examples like conducting feasibility studies, completing network designs, and developing broadband financial assistance applications. In practice, that can include assessing whether a project is financially and technically viable, mapping needs and service gaps, outlining engineering approaches, building cost estimates and business models, preparing environmental or permitting strategies where relevant, and packaging the documentation needed to compete for larger capital programs.

RUS encourages applicants to design projects that align with several federal priorities. One priority is supporting rural economic recovery by opening more and better market opportunities and strengthening infrastructure, reflecting the idea that reliable broadband is now foundational for small businesses, agriculture, remote work, telehealth, and education. Another priority is equity in access to Rural Development programs and in the benefits of RD-funded projects, signaling interest in efforts that reach underserved populations and ensure that rural residents can participate in and benefit from federal investment. A third priority emphasizes reducing climate pollution and improving resilience to climate impacts, pointing applicants toward technical assistance that supports sustainable network planning, resilient infrastructure approaches, and economic support strategies that help rural communities withstand and adapt to climate-related disruptions.

Eligibility is broad and includes many of the entities that typically lead or support rural broadband planning. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; federally recognized Tribal governments and other Tribal organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education); and for-profit entities (including small businesses and other for-profits). This range allows both community-based organizations and technical providers to apply, whether they are delivering technical assistance directly, organizing regional planning efforts, or building capacity for rural partners to pursue broadband financing and implementation.

For FY 2024, the posted award ceiling is $1,000,000, and RUS expects to make about 35 awards. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.752 and is categorized under business and commerce, community development, and regional development-related activity areas. Applications were announced as being accepted with an original closing date of August 20, 2024. Applicants are expected to follow the Broadband Technical Assistance Application Guide and related program resources provided on the USDA Rural Development BTA website, and the controlling program requirements are laid out in the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) published in the Federal Register (document number 2024-13691).

• The Rural Utilities Service in the business and commerce, community development, iij, regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Broadband Technical Assistance" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.752.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 35 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for RUS BTA 2024

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