RUS "Broadband Initiatives Program" (BIP)

Rural Deployment of Broadband Infrastructure

RUS funding has been designated for rural deployment. RUS will award grants, loans, and loan guarantees for broadband infrastructure that meet its goals, provided that 75% of the funding will be used to assist rural areas without sufficient broadband access, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Projects that receive NTIA grants are not eligible for RUS loans, guarantees, or grants.

ARRA, Title I, Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, page 4.

Agency Documents

RUS and NTIA Joint Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and Solicitation of Applications

White House Press Release: "Vice President Biden Launches Initiative to Bring Broadband, Jobs to More Americans"

Rural Utilities Service Broadband Initiatives Program Fact Sheet

RUS Funding Priorities

Projects that provide end users with a choice or more than one service provider (underserved areas).

Projects that provide service to the highest proportion of rural residents without access to broadband (unserved areas).

Applicants who are borrowers or former borrowers under Rural Electrification Act.

Projects that will be fully funded by the time the award is granted.

Projects that, if the application is approved, all project elements will be fully funded.

Project applications for activities that can be completed if requested funds are provided.

Projects that can commence promptly upon approval.

ARRA, Title I, Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, pages 4 – 5.

Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program

Description: Loans, loan guarantees, and grants for broadband infrastructure in any area of the United States.

At least 75 percent of the area to be served by a project must be in a rural area without sufficient access to high speed broadband service in order to facilitate rural economic development.

Appropriation: $2.5 Billion

ARRA, Title I, Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, pages 4 – 5.

The construction of broadband facilities capable of delivering next-generation broadband speeds is likely to result in greater job creation and job preservation than projects centered on current generation broadband speeds.Therefore, . . . the RUS (was instructed) "to fund, to the extent practicable, projects that provide the highest possible, next-generation broadband speeds to consumers.”

Resources

"USDA Rural Development: Bringing Broadband to Rural America" (2007), USDA

FCC/USDA Rural Broadband Educational Workshops, Presentations (2008)

Broadband Opportunities for Rural America, A Joint Initiative of the FCC and USDA (2009)

"Bringing Broadband to Rural America, Report on Rural Broadband Strategy" (2009), Federal Communications Commission, May 22, 2009.

Rural Telecommunications Service, Telecommunications Program, Joint Federal Rural Wireless Initiative Kick Off (2003)

"Rural Development Telecommunications Program, Community Connect Broadband Program, Grant Application Guide" (2009)

"The Rural Development Distance Learning and Telemedicine Webinar" recording, UDSA Workshops Distance Learning and Telecommunications Program Resources, Rural Development, USDA