The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural eConnectivity Program, also known as the ReConnect Program, for fiscal year 2024. The ReConnect Program provides loans, grants, and combinations thereof to eligible entities to expand high-speed broadband infrastructure in unserved rural areas and Tribal lands. Applications for this next round of ReConnect Program funding will be accepted beginning on March 22, 2024. The application window will close on April 22, 2024.
Approved entities will be required to deploy broadband service with speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps. Areas that already have an enforceable commitment by a provider to deploy broadband with speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps are ineligible for ReConnect funds. However, areas with only satellite or unlicensed wireless facilities, or enforceable commitments for such services, will be eligible for ReConnect funds.
