Congressman Gonzalez Encourages South Texans to Apply for USDA E-Connectivity Grants

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for Community Connect grants that fund broadband infrastructure projects in rural communities. The application period closes on Monday, May 14, 2018.

"Rapid innovations in technology present new challenges - and new opportunities - for South Texas," Congressman Gonzalez said. "By investing in broadband, we open the door to more educational, employment, and healthcare opportunities in our rural communities."

Grants from $100,000 to $3 million are available to state and local governments, federally-recognized tribes, nonprofits and for-profit corporations. Applicants must be able to provide a 15 percent match.

Funding must be used to provide broadband service at a minimum rate-of-data transmission of 25 megabits downstream and 3 megabits upstream. Awardees are required to offer free broadband service to all critical community facilities and a community center within the proposed service area for two years.

For more information on how to apply, please see page 11494 of the March 15, 2018 Federal Register.