The USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service is inviting applications for the "Community Connect Grant Program".
Over $13.4 million will be awarded to nonprofits, for-profit entities, public bodies, and tribes to finance the deployment of broadband transmission in areas that currently have NO broadband service at all (individuals are not eligible).
Click here for details on the project
Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $1,000,000. Applicants must provide some matching funds for their project. Eligible projects must provide "community-oriented connectivity" - i.e., in addition to providing broadband, the service must clearly offer economic development, education, and health care benefits to the community being covered. Preference will be given to remote rural communities and lower income communities.
The deadline for applications is June 19, 2009.