Funding: $1,000,000,000
Description: Provides funding to expand middle mile infrastructure and reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas. Middle mile infrastructure broadly refers to the mid-section of Internet infrastructure that carries large amounts of data at high speeds over long distances.
Eligible Recipients:
The following entities may apply to this program:
- State governments
- Political subdivisions of states
- Tribal governments
- Technology companies
- Electric utilities
- Utility cooperatives
- Public utility districts
- Telecommunications companies
- Telecommunications cooperatives
- Nonprofit foundations
- Nonprofit corporations
- Nonprofit institutions
- Nonprofit associations
- Regional planning councils
- Native entities
- Economic development authorities
- Partnerships of two or more entities described above
Eligible Uses:
Grants can be used for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure, including:
• Construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment
• Engineering design, permitting and work related to project reviews
• Personnel costs, incl. salaries and benefits for staff and consultants
• Other costs necessary to programmatic activities
Deadline: September 30, 2022