Congressman Gonzalez Announces the Rural Broadband Loan Program is Accepting Applications

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. Created by the 2002 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2014 Farm Bill, these loans assist eligible rural communities construct, improve, and extend the reach of vital broadband infrastructure.

"I am pleased to see the USDA prioritize high-speed internet access in rural communities," Congressman Gonzalez said. "Extending broadband options allows people to cast their net even wider and access new educational, employment, and healthcare opportunities."

To expand the number of potential applicants for these loans, the USDA will accept applications on a rolling basis through September 30, 2018. Loans from $100,000 to $25 million will be awarded to non-profit or for-profit organizations, with priority given to applicants that propose to serve the highest percentage of unserved households.

Funding must be used to provide broadband service at a minimum rate-of-data transmission of 25 megabits downstream and three megabits upstream.

For a full list, please click here.

Interested applicants can submit their forms here.

For more information please reference page 13225 of the March 28, 2018 Federal Register.