USDA Rural Development Broadband Programs

Rural Development Offices Rural Business- Cooperative Service Rural Housing Service Rural Utilities Service At the national level, programs and services are delivered through three agencies. 1 of 7

Rural Development Offices 4 Regions 47 State Offices 400 Area Offices 1 National Office in DC At the local level, programs and services are delivered by USDA Rural Development staff in 4 regions, 47 State Offices, 400 area offices and local service centers and offices across rural America. Most of our employees live and work in rural communities.

Rural Development’s Programs Housing; Community Facilities Business; Cooperative; Economic Development Utilities—Water/Wastewater; Broadband; Electric; Telephone

Rural Housing Service (RHS) Multi-Family Housing Farm Labor Direct Loans & Grants Housing Preservation & Revitalization Demonstration Loans & Grants Housing Preservation Grants Multi-Family Housing Direct Loans Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantees Multi-Family Housing Rental Assistance Single-Family Housing Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants Single-Family Housing Direct Home Loans Single-Family Housing Home Loan Guarantees Single-Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants Community Facilities Community Facilities Direct Loans & Grants Community Facilities Loan Guarantees Economic Impact Initiative Grants Rural Community Development Initiative Grants Tribal College Initiative Grants Direct loans or loan guarantees to help low- and moderate-income rural Americans buy safe, affordable housing in rural areas. Funds may be used to buy or refinance an existing home, build a new one, or buy and prepare a lot for new construction. Add banding info for low and moderate-low income housing.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) Business Programs Business & Industry Loan Guarantees Intermediary Relending Program Rural Business Development Grants Rural Business Investment Program Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program Energy Programs Advanced Biofuel Payment Program Repowering Assistance Program Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Energy Audits & Renewable Energy Development Grants Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Cooperative Programs Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grants Value Added Producer Grants Delta Health Care Services Grants Rural Cooperative Development Grants Strategic Economic and Community Development Cooperative Training and Technical Assistance Community Economic Development Initiatives Business loans for for-profit businesses, nonprofits and cooperatives, Federally recognized Tribes, public bodies and individuals. This program bolsters the existing private credit structure through the guaranteeing of loans for rural businesses, allowing private lenders to extend more credit than they would typically be able to do. This is a “banks-to- business applicant” process

Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Programs Denali Commission High Energy Cost Grants Distributed Generation Project Financing Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program Energy Efficiency & Conservation Loans Energy High Energy Cost Grants State Bulk Fuel Revolving Loan Fund Telecommunications Programs Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Guarantees Farm Bill Broadband Loans & Loan Guarantees Community Connect Grants Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants ReConnect Water & Environmental Programs Circuit Rider Program Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants Grants for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages Household Water Well System Grants Individual Water & Wastewater Grants SEARCH - Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Solid Waste Management Grants Water & Waste Disposal Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands and Colonias Water & Waste Disposal Loans & Grants Water & Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants Water & Waste Disposal Revolving Loan Funds Water & Waste Disposal Technical Assistance & Training Grants These programs are run by General Field Representatives (GFRs) regionally. They are run out of DC.The Electric Program provides capital and leadership to maintain, expand, upgrade and modernize America’s vast rural electric infrastructure. The loans and loan guarantees finance the construction or improvement of electric distribution, transmission and generation facilities in rural areas. The Electric Program also provides funding to support demand-side management, energy efficiency and conservation programs, and on-and off-grid renewable energy systems.

RUS Telecommunications Programs History From electricity to broadband… 1935 Rural Electrification Administration (REA) created and began providing financing to promote rural electrification 1949 REA received authority to finance telephone service in rural communities 1995 Evolving from the REA, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) required all financed telecommunications networks have the capacity to deliver broadband 2010 to present RUS has provided $6.2 billion in loans and grants to build out broadband infrastructure in rural areas

Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Report www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-prosperity-report.pdf Calls to Action: Achieving e-connectivity for Rural America Improving Quality of Life Supporting a Rural Work Force Harnessing Technological Innovation Developing the Rural Economy More information www.usda.gov/ruralprosperity Objectives & Recommended Actions: Establish Executive Leadership to Expand E-connectivity Across Rural America Assess State of Rural E-connectivity Reduce Regulatory Barriers to Infrastructure Deployment Assess Efficacy of Current Programs Incentivize Private Capital Investment

Telecommunications Infrastructure Program Available Funding Program Updates FY 2016 $690 million available in FY 2016 FY 2017 $690 million available in FY 2017 FY 2018 $690 million available in FY 2018 Loans finance new & improved telecommunications infrastructure, primarily for the benefit of rural populations of 5,000 or less <Typically> Loans may serve non-rural subscribers in some cases FY 2019 $TBD available in FY 2019 14 loans approved: $194.5 million 21 loans approved: $427.4 million 13 loans approved: $161.9 million Budget Pending 7 loans in process: $129.6 million Applications are accepted year round RD Apply online application system "Rural area" is defined as any area of the United States, its territories and insular possessions (including any areas within the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau) not included within the boundaries of any incorporated or unincorporated city, village, or borough having a population exceeding 5,000 inhabitants. RUS loan funds may be approved for facilities to serve non-rural subscribers only if: 1. The principal purpose of the loan is to furnish and improve rural service; and 2. The use of loan funds to serve non-rural subscribers is necessary and incidental to the principal purpose of the loan. https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-infrastructure-loans-loan-guarantees Updated: 11/15/2018

Telecommunications Farm Bill Broadband Program (aka Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program) Available Funding Program Updates FY 2016 $64 million available in FY 2016 FY 2017 $27 million appropriated in FY 2017 FY 2018 $29.9 million available in FY 2018 FY 2019 $TBD available in FY 2019 * * Additional Carry over funding is available from previous fiscal years Loans finance the costs of constructing a broadband network Amounts from $100,000 to $25 million Broadband Service and Broadband Lending Speed is defined as 25 Mbps (download) and 3 Mbps (upload) Serving rural communities of 20,000 or less <typically> At least 15% of the proposed funded service area households in unserved Cannot have 3 or more incumbent service providers Service area cannot be in a RUS previously funded area 1 loan approved: $4.1 million 2 loans approved: $24.0 million 1 loan in approved: $19.9 million Budget Pending 2 loans in process: $33.4 million RD Apply online application system NOSA Released on November, 15, 2018 RUS is accepting applications on a rolling basis This will give RUS the ability to request additional information and modifications to a submitted application whenever necessary Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis Every 90 days, RUS will conduct an evaluation of submitted applications, ranking them based on the percentage of unserved households that the applicant proposes to serve RUS conducted least 2 evaluation periods for FY2019 https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/farm-bill-broadband-loans-loan-guarantees Updated: 11/15/2018

Community Connect Program Available Funding Program Updates FY 2016 $11.74 million available in FY 2016 FY 2017 $34.5 million available in FY 2017 FY 2018 $30.0 million available in FY 2018 FY 2019 $TBD available in FY 2019 * Carryover funding is sometimes available from previous fiscal years General provisions as of the latest NOSA: Grant funds for Broadband Service deployment Population of 20,000 or less Amounts from $100,000 to $3 million Service Area must be entirely unserved Minimum Broadband Service is defined as 10 Mbps (download) and 1 Mbps (upload) Minimum Broadband Grant Speed is defined as 25 Mbps (download) and 3 Mbps (upload) 15% Matching Requirement Over 70 applications processed: $120 million 9 grants approved: $15.6 million States (x6): IN*, KY, OK, TN, VA, WV 48 Applications processed: $90.8 million 16 grants approved: $35.3 million States (x11): AL, GA*, ID, ME, MN, NC, OK, TN, VA, WA, WY 124 Applications processed: $225.6 million 14 grants approved: $30.0 million States (x9): KY*, MN, NC, ND, OK, NC, TN, VA*, UT * HQ State, but grant benefited additional state(s) http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-connect-grants Updated: 11/16/2018

Community Connect Program Recorded webinar for 2019 Application Period: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8Y9W8WqsDg&feature=youtu.be APPLICATION DUE DATE: April 15, 2019. http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-connect-grants Recent Local Example: $2,346,378 grant to Hood Canal Telephone Co., Inc. To extend facilities to the Upper Lake Cushman area of Mason County. It will provide advanced broadband services to businesses and residents in the area. It is unserved, with many homes unable to access the internet even with cellular devices or via satellite due to dense forestation and rugged terrain. The Upper Lake Cushman area will be connected using fiber optic technology in order to provide an ultimate infrastructure for the future without the need of ever replacing the core plant facilities due to obsolescence. A Community Center will be established in the service area, allowing residents to access broadband services free of charge for at least two years. Other Funding: Applicant Contribution: $351,957.00

Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program Available Funding Program Updates FY 2016 $23.4 million available in FY 2016 FY 2017 $23.6 million available in FY 2017 FY 2018 $29.0 million available in FY 2018 $20.0 million additional available in FY 2018 in rural areas to help address the opioid epidemic in rural America Grants fund equipment needed to provide Distance Learning and Telemedicine services 15% Matching Requirement Minimum Grant amount: $50,000 Maximum Grant Amount: $500,000 Only grants are available-no loans or combo loan/grants FY 2019 $TBD available in FY 2019 182 applications received 98 applications approved: $27.7 million 35 States & Territories represented 208 applications received by July 17, 2017 86 applications approved: $27.7 million 46 distance learning & 40 telemedicine projects 30 States & Territories represented 224 applications received by June 4, 2018 132 applications approved for $40.8 million:                DL                         TM                        Overall                                                            67 awards           65 Awards           132 awards                849 sites              758 sites              1,607 sites                32 States             39 states             45 states & Territories represented                $22.7 million      $18.1 million       $40.8 million STEM & Opioid Special Consideration Point Projects                                             63 STEM              51 Opioid            18 None 132 awards               $17.9 million      $18.6 million       $4.4 million         Tot: $40.8 million http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants Updated: 11/05/2018

Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program There are two distinct grant opportunities available under the DLT Program for FY 2019—Regular and Opioid Response Focus. DLT Recorded Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esIEs-dG1bc&feature=youtu.be DLT—Opioid Response Focus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95flmIbWORs&feature=youtu.be APPLICATION DUE DATE: May 15, 2019. Application Guide can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants Recent Local Example $73,672 to Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue. This grant will provide distance learning equipment in fire stations at six sites for emergency medical technicians and paramedics covering more than 28,444 residents. The equipment will enable first responders to remain locally, reducing response times to emergencies that occur during regular training. It will be used for medical training and certifications, and will enhance treatment and patient interaction training during opioid misuse responses.

ReConnect Program https://www.usda.gov/reconnect Projects funded through this initiative must serve communities with fewer than 20,000 people with no broadband service or where service is slower than 10 megabits per second (mbps) download and 1 mbps upload. The first round of applicants have three separate funding categories to choose from: 100 percent (%) loan, 50% loan / 50% grant, or 100% grant. Given the varying closing dates for each funding type, applicants will be limited to one application for this FOA. To be eligible for a 100% loan or 50% loan / 50% grant, the proposed funded service area in an application must be in a rural area where 90% of the households do not have sufficient broadband access. To be eligible for a 100% grant, the proposed funded service area in an application must be in a rural area where 100% of the households do not have sufficient broadband access. No matter which funding type the applicant requests, the proposed network must be capable of providing service to every premise in the proposed funded service area at a speed of at minimum, 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. These programs are run by General Field Representatives (GFRs) regionally. They are run out of DC.The Electric Program provides capital and leadership to maintain, expand, upgrade and modernize America’s vast rural electric infrastructure. The loans and loan guarantees finance the construction or improvement of electric distribution, transmission and generation facilities in rural areas. The Electric Program also provides funding to support demand-side management, energy efficiency and conservation programs, and on-and off-grid renewable energy systems.

ReConnect Program Funding Limits Award amounts under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will be limited as follows: 100 Percent Grant. Up to $200,000,000 is available for grants. The maximum amount that can be requested in an application is $25,000,000. Applications are due to USDA by May 31, 2019. 50 Percent Loan / 50 Percent Grant. Up to $200,000,000 is available for loan/grant combinations. The maximum amount that can be requested in an application is $25,000,000 for the loan and $25,000,000 for the grant. Loan and grant amounts will always be equal. Applications are due to USDA by June 21, 2019. 100 Percent Loan. Up to $200,000,000 is available for loans. The maximum amount that can be requested in an application is $50,000,000. Applications are due to USDA by July 12, 2019, though USDA will evaluate and award loan-only projects on a first-come-first-serve basis, beginning in March 2019. These programs are run by General Field Representatives (GFRs) regionally. They are run out of DC.The Electric Program provides capital and leadership to maintain, expand, upgrade and modernize America’s vast rural electric infrastructure. The loans and loan guarantees finance the construction or improvement of electric distribution, transmission and generation facilities in rural areas. The Electric Program also provides funding to support demand-side management, energy efficiency and conservation programs, and on-and off-grid renewable energy systems.

Rural Utilities Service (RUS) USDA Launches High-Speed Broadband e-Connectivity Resource Guide. https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/508_RDeConnectivityToolkit121918.pdf This e-Connectivity Toolkit features 27 USDA programs that support broadband deployment. The easy-to-use resource is a simple guide that allows customers to identify their type of e-Connectivity project and locate resources the federal government offers for planning, equipment, construction, research and other e-Connectivity projects. A resource matrix illustrates resources such as grants, loans and technical assistance are available from multiple Mission Areas at USDA, including Rural Development, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Forest Service. The toolkit also highlights examples of how e-Connectivity resources are being used to increase access to broadband services in rural communities. Primary USDA Telecommunications Program Website (All telecommunications programs can be found at): http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/telecom-programs These programs are run by General Field Representatives (GFRs) regionally. They are run out of DC.The Electric Program provides capital and leadership to maintain, expand, upgrade and modernize America’s vast rural electric infrastructure. The loans and loan guarantees finance the construction or improvement of electric distribution, transmission and generation facilities in rural areas. The Electric Program also provides funding to support demand-side management, energy efficiency and conservation programs, and on-and off-grid renewable energy systems.

Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Program alerts, please sign up at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDARD/subscriber/new Grants.Gov alerts, please sign up at: https://www.grants.gov/manage-subscriptions.html March 21, 2019 webinar for USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Webinar https://cc.readytalk.com/r/xy0prfzzd0g2&eom These programs are run by General Field Representatives (GFRs) regionally. They are run out of DC.The Electric Program provides capital and leadership to maintain, expand, upgrade and modernize America’s vast rural electric infrastructure. The loans and loan guarantees finance the construction or improvement of electric distribution, transmission and generation facilities in rural areas. The Electric Program also provides funding to support demand-side management, energy efficiency and conservation programs, and on-and off-grid renewable energy systems.

Broadband Information: Joe D. Bradley USDA Telecommunications Program, Field Representative for ID, OR, WA Email: joe.bradley@usda.gov Cell: 208-401-8090 Mountain Time Zone Thanks for listening! You can get more details on all these programs using our handout, visiting our website, or reaching me at my email address listed above. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

General Information: Timothy W. O’Connell USDA Rural Development, West Region Coordinator, Innovation Center AK, HI, WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, MT, CO, NM, UT, AZ, WY Email: tim.oconnell@usda.gov Cell: 202-768-0587 Pacific Time Zone Thanks for listening! You can get more details on all these programs using our handout, visiting our website, or reaching me at my email address listed above. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.