Objective
Milam County should obtain federal and state grant monies, such as EDA Grants, American Rescue Plan monies, and NTIA Broadband grants, to build additional and expand existent infrastructure in Milam County to facilitate better broadband.
Description
There are a multitude of existing and potential federal funding opportunities for broadband expansion. While federal agencies have niche missions, each can contribute funding to a community’s broadband readiness endeavors through unique grant programs. Examples include the Department of Agriculture, Economic Development Association, and Federal Communications Commission. Developing a grant strategy, or a funding strategy, is an important part of a community’s competitiveness when applying for available funds. Important elements of a grant plan include accurate broadband mapping, stakeholder support, broadband partnerships (i.e., ISPs), and up-to-date funding information.
Actions
Action 1. Judge Young should identify applicable grants for community/county to apply for and begin preparing grant applications with assistance from a school or county grant writer.
a. Use Internet Society funding guide linked below to review federal grant programs.
b. View Connected Nation’s “Current Broadband Funding” landing page for information on funding opportunities.
c. If the community does not have a designated grant writer or broadband specialist, consult with CTCOG about available resources and grant-writing assistance.
Action 2. The Community Broadband Team (County Judge, EDC Coordinator, others as needed) should meet with community ISPs (internet service providers) to discuss infrastructure needs and financial responsibilities and implications.
Action 3. The Community Broadband Team should meet with community broadband providers who have already been allocated federal money, including CAF and RDOF, to ensure infrastructure plans are not needlessly redundant.
- RDOF Phase I Auction Winning Bids
- AMG Technology (Nextlink), $2,462,026.10
- CCO Holdings (Charter), $9,228.00
- LTD Broadband, $12,297.00
- CAF Phase II Auction Winning Bids
- AMG Technology (Nextlink), $1,089,117.50
Action 4. County officials (i.e., Judge Young) should make contact with Congressman Sessions’ office to inquire about federal grant application assistance; inquire about letters of support, additional funding opportunities.
Action 5. Milam County, in conjunction with Commissioners Court approval, should spend federal grant winnings on broadband expansion projects utilizing ISP partnerships and abiding by regulatory standards.
Responsible Parties
Local units of government; congressional staff; grant writers; broadband providers
Resources
• ctc technology & energy: Developing a Grant Strategy in an Evolving Funding Landscape
• Internet Society: Guide to Federal Broadband Funding Opportunities in the U.S.
• BroadbandUSA: Federal Grant Resources
• Connected Nation: Current Broadband Funding
• Congressman Pete Sessions’ Office Locations and Contact Information
• US Department of the Treasury: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
• US Department of Agriculture: ReConnect Loan and Grant Program
• American Rescue Plan: County Allocation
• American Rescue Plan: City Allocation
• Grants.gov: NTIA Broadband Infrastructure Program