USDA Accepting Applications for $1 Billion Rural High-Speed Internet Program

ST. PAUL, Minn., September 15, 2022 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Collen Landkamer today announced that the Department is accepting applications for ReConnect Program loans and grants to expand access to high-speed internet for millions of people in rural Minnesota. The ReConnect program is a critical piece of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to connect every rural American to access affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.

“Having access to reliable, high-speed internet is vital for rural Minnesota,” Landkamer said. “It acts as a catalyst for rural prosperity by opening up opportunities for education, training and health care. It also, allows rural business to expand employment in their communities and opens up the ability to compete in a global economy.”

On Sept. 6, USDA began accepting applications for loans, with available funds of $150 million, grants with available funds of $700 million, and combination loan/grant awards using $300 million under the ReConnect Program.

These funds were appropriated under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Governmentwide, the law provides an historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable, high-speed internet to all communities across the U.S. 

The application deadline is Nov. 2. For additional information, see page 47690 of the Aug. 4 Federal Register. 

USDA has made several improvements to the ReConnect Program for the current round of applications. Collectively, these improvements increase the availability of funding in rural areas where residents and businesses lack access to affordable, high-speed internet. They include: 

• Allowing applicants to serve areas where at least 50% of households lack sufficient access to high-speed internet. 
• Adding a funding category for projects where 90% of households lack sufficient access to high-speed internet. For applications submitted under this category, no matching funds will be required.  
• Waiving the matching funds requirement for: (a) Alaska Native Corporations, (b) Tribal Governments, (c) projects proposing to provide service in colonias, (d) projects proposing to serve persistent poverty counties and (e) projects proposing to provide service in socially vulnerable communities. 

Additionally, to ensure that rural households in need of internet service can afford it, all awardees under this funding round will be required to apply to participate in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP offers a discount of up to $30 per month towards internet service to qualifying low-income households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands.  

Background: ReConnect Program 

To be eligible for ReConnect Program funding, an applicant must serve an area where high-speed internet service is not available at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) (download) and 20 Mbps (upload). The applicant must also commit to building facilities capable of providing high-speed internet service at speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in its proposed service area. 

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mn or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.

Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mn.