BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE THROUGH BROADBAND EXPANSION

Bridging the Digital Divide
through Broadband Expansion

Reliable, secure, broadband internet has become an essential lifeline for all communities and marketplaces, regardless of location, type or size. Yet, there remains an alarming number of U.S. businesses, residents and consumers who are seriously underserved by broadband internet access. These ‘dark spots’ in our shining digital economy compromise our collective quality of life and substantially limit commercial prosperity.

Sand Cherry Associates is dedicated to helping communities bridge this urgent digital divide

Federal and state funding for broadband infrastructure is at an all-time high. This unique moment in time for businesses, governments and service providers presents opportunity to finally, and fully, help close the Digital Divide in our country.

Ubiquitous, high quality broadband connects people to markets, services to people, health providers to patients, educators to students, landowners to agricultural technology. As government and tribal agencies, health providers, educational institutions, and community organizations look to leverage the power of broadband networks, Sand Cherry can help plan, navigate, and make that vision a reality.

BROADBAND SERVICE AREA MAPPING SUPPORT

Sand Cherry offers data mapping support to help clients identify
and prioritize opportunity areas for broadband service
(click to see data visualization of high level mapping example)

Sand Cherry and our network of select Partners

can help you operationalize your strategic plan from start to finish, utilizing a team of subject matter experts in a multitude of functional areas.

Funding Resources

Category	Program	Description	Coverage	Important Dates	Sponsor
Broadband Expansion	Foundation for Rural Service Community Grant Program	Grants to support a variety of local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural communities across America. Focus areas include business development, community development, education, and telecommunications.	Nationwide	Every Year on Aug 30	Foundation for Rural Service	08/30/2022
Broadband Expansion	AARP Community Challenge	The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Applications are accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more.	Nationwide		AARP	12/31/2022
Broadband Expansion	Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees	Loans and loan guarantees for the construction, maintenance, improvement, and expansion of telephone service and broadband in rural areas.	Nationwide	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis	U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Rural Utilities Service	12/31/2022
Broadband Expansion	Virtual Living Room - Using Technology to Address the Critical Healthcare Needs of Veterans in Rural Areas	A grant program that combines rural technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs resources, and local support to provide solutions to improve healthcare access for veterans in rural areas.	Nationwide	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis	Foundation for Rural Service, NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	12/31/2022
Broadband Expansion	Rural Business Service - Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG)	The program offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services such as housing; health care; first responder services and equipment; and water, electric and communications infrastructure.	Nationwide	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis	U.S. Department of Agriculture	12/31/2022
Broadband Expansion	The ReConnect Loan and Grant Program	ReConnect offers three types of funding options for broadband infrastructure to connect rural families, businesses, farms, ranches, schools, libraries, and public safety facilities to modern, high-speed internet. A rural area is eligible if it currently does not have sufficient access to broadband.	Nationwide	Application Deadlines: March 9, 2022	U.S. Department of Agriculture	3/9/2022
Broadband Expansion	North Carolina Economic Infrastructure Program	Grants to support infrastructure projects related to drinking water, wastewater, broadband, natural gas lines, railways, and roadways in rural areas of North Carolina.	North Carolina	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis	North Carolina Department of Commerce	12/31/2022
Broadband Expansion	North Carolina Open Grants Program	Grants for projects that strengthen North Carolina's long-term economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities in the areas of agriculture, economic development, workforce preparedness, healthcare, education, and community vitality.	North Carolina	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis	Golden Leaf Foundation	12/31/2022
Broadband Expansion	Rural Relief Small Business Grant - LISC	As part of continuing commitment to elevate impact in rural America, LISC is inviting small business owners in rural locations across the country to apply for the LISC-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants program.	Nationwide	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis	LISC	12/31/2022
Broadband Expansion	CERB Rural Broadband Program	Low interest loan or loan/grant packages to build infrastructure to provide high-speed, open-access broadband service to rural underserved communities in Washington for the purpose of community economic development.	Washington		Washington State Department of Commerce	12/31/2022
Broadband Expansion	Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program	A $268 million grant program directed to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions for the purchase of broadband internet access service and eligible equipment or to hire and train information technology personnel.	Nationwide			12/31/2022
Broadband Expansion	Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program	A $980 million program directed to tribal governments to be used for broadband deployment on tribal lands, as well as for telehealth, distance learning, broadband affordability, and digital inclusion.	Nationwide			12/31/2022
Broadband Expansion	Broadband Infrastructure Program	A $288 million broadband deployment program directed to partnerships between a state, or one or more political subdivisions of a state, and providers of fixed broadband service to support broadband infrastructure deployment to areas lacking broadband, especially rural areas.	Nationwide			12/31/2022
Broadband Expansion	National Telecommunications and Information Administration	NTIA administers grant programs that further the deployment and use of broadband and other technologies in America.	Nationwide			12/31/2022
Education	E-Rate - Schools & Libraries USF Program	The schools and libraries universal service support program, commonly known as the E-rate program, helps schools and libraries to obtain affordable broadband.	Nationwide	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis	FCC	12/31/2022
Education	American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities	This program helps eligible institutions of higher education increase their self-sufficiency by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.	Nationwide	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis	U.S. Department of Education	12/31/2022
Education	Promise Neighborhoods	The Promise Neighborhoods program is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).	Nationwide		U.S. Department of Education	12/31/2022
Education	Abell Foundation Grants	The Abell Foundation is dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life in Maryland, with a focus on Baltimore City. The Foundation is committed to improving the lives of underserved populations by supporting innovative, results-oriented efforts to solve systemic social, economic, and environmental problems.	Maryland	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis	Abell Foundation	12/31/2022
Telehealth	Idaho Rural Health Care Access Program (RHCAP)	Awards funding to projects that help rural communities improve access to primary medical and dental healthcare through telehealth, community development, and recruitment/retention projects.	Idaho	Every Year on Aug 30	Idaho Bureau of Rural Health and Primary Care	08/30/2022
Telehealth	Foundation for Rural Service Community Grant Program	Grants to support a variety of local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural communities across America. Focus areas include business development, community development, education, and telecommunications.	Nationwide	Every Year on Sep 30	Foundation for Rural Service	09/30/2022
Telehealth	Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program	Funding for community-based outreach education and extension programs at land-grant colleges and universities that provide individuals and families based in rural areas with information on health, wellness, and prevention. Projects should utilize telehealth, telemedicine, and distance learning strategies for education and training in minority rural communities related to opioids, preventing spread of COVID-19, and/or mitigating infection and transmission of COVID-19.	Nationwide	Application Deadline: April 29, 2022	National Institute of Food and Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture	04/29/2022
Telehealth	Novarti COVID-19 Community Response Fund	Grants to support local initiatives and communities in the United States impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.	Nationwide	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis	Novartis U.S. Foundation	12/31/2022
Telehealth	Strengthening Access to Care for Opioid Use Disorder Patients During the COVID-19 National Public Health Emergency: Recovery Support Services	Grants to support projects designed to strengthen access to evidence-based opioid use disorder recovery services for vulnerable and high-risk populations during the COVID-19 national emergency.	Nationwide	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis	Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts	12/31/2022

Broadband Resources by State

State	Broadband Information	Funding Opportunities
Alabama	ADECA \| Alabama Digital Expansion Division
Alaska	Alaska Department of Commerce of Community and Economic Development \| Alaska Broadband Office	School Broadband Assistance Grant- to assist schools to reach internet download speeds of 25 Mbps
American Samoa	American Samoa Government Department of Commerce
Arizona	Arizona Commerce Authority \| Broadband	Arizona Rural Broadband Development Grant- for eligible applicants with shovel-ready projects or broadband planning activities Arizona State Library and Technology Act Grant- for the expansion of services for learning, including digital skills training and extending, upgrading, and assessing library wireless networks
Arkansas	ARConnect	Arkansas Rural Connect Grant Program- assist in the deployment or improvement of broadband infrastructure into unserved or improvement to underserved communities Rural Broadband Grant- funds for broadband development in rural communities across the state
California	California Broadband Council	The California Advances Services Fund (CASF)
Colorado	Colorado Broadband Office	Broadband Planning Grants- to conduct needs assessments, regional planning, strategies, and solutions to achieve a community’s broadband needs Connecting Colorado Students Grant Program- to increase services for students, educators, and other staff allows who lack reliable Internet access for online learning
Connecticut	Connecticut State Office of Consumer Counsel \| Broadband
Delaware	Delaware Department of Technology & Information Delaware Broadband Initiative	Delaware Broadband Fund- to support broadband services in Delaware schools, public libraries, and rural broadband initiatives
District of Columbia	DC Office of the Chief Technology Officer
Florida	Florida Commerce \| Office of Broadband	Rural Infrastructure Fund- uses of funds may include improving access to and the availability of broadband Internet service in unserved or underserved rural communities
Georgia	Georgia Department of Community Affairs \| Georgia Broadband Program
Guam	Office of Technology Government of Guam
Hawaii	DBEDT - Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office
Idaho	Idaho Commerce \| Idaho Broadband	Idaho Broadband Grant Program- promote equal access in economic development, public safety, telehealth and education
Illinois	Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity \| Broadband Expansion	Connect Illinois- a broadband matching grant program that provides $400 million for competitive broadband grants Connected Communities Grants- grant provides up to $15,000 to encourage community planning for broadband access, adoption, and implementation
Indiana	Indiana Broadband	OCRA: Next Level Connections- expanding access to broadband to all Indiana
Iowa	Iowa Office of the Chief Information Officer \| Broadband
Kansas	Kansas Commerce \| Office of Broadband Development
Kentucky	Office of Broadband Development	Broadband Deployment Fund
Louisiana	ConnectLa
Maine	Maine Connectivity Authority	Community Broadband Planning and Infrastructure Grant Program- information for both planning grants and infrastructure grants
Maryland	Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development \| Connect Maryland
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Broadband Institute	Gateway Cities Program- for small to mid-size regional cities Flexible Grant Program- supports Last Mile broadband connectivity for certain towns in western Massachusetts Last Mile Grant Program- use these grants for design, engineering and construction services
Michigan	Labor and Economic Opportunity \| Michigan High-Speed Internet Office	Connecting Communities (CMIC) Grant Program- to extend broadband service into unserved areas in Michigan
Minnesota	MN Employment and Economic Development \| Office of Broadband Development	Border to Border Broadband Development Grant Program- invest in building broadband infrastructure into unserved and underserved areas of the state
Mississippi	Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi
Missouri	Missouri Department of Economic Development \| Office of Broadband Resources	Missouri Broadband Grant Program (APRA Funds)- to increase broadband internet access, adoption, and assistance statewide
Montana	ConnectMT Broadband Program
Nebraska	Nebraska Broadband	Broadband Bridge Act Grant Program Nebraska Universal Service Fund- helps keep telecommunications services affordable
Nevada	Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation & Technology \| Broadband	NV Education Broadband Grant
New Hampshire	New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs \| Office of Broadband Initiatives
New Jersey	NJ Office of Broadband Connectivity
New Mexico	Connect New Mexico
New York	New York State ConnectALL Office
North Carolina	NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity	The Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant- facilitate the deployment of broadband service to unserved areas of North Carolina Building a New Digital Economy (BAND-NC) Grant- provides rapid-response innovation mini-grants to N.C. communities to fund local digital inclusion projects that meet specific community needs
North Dakota	North Dakota Information Technology \| Broadband
Northen Mariana Islands	Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Office of Planning and Development
Ohio	Broadband Ohio
Oklahoma	Oklahoma Broadband Office	OneNet
Oregon	Business Oregon \| Oregon Broadband Office
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development \| Broadband in Pennsylvania	Programs and Funding
Puerto Rico	Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Commerce \| Broadband & Digital Equity
South Carolina	Office of Regulatory Staff \| Broadband
South Dakota	South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development \| Connect SD Broadband
Tennessee	TN Department of Economic & Community Development \| Broadband Office	Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Grant
Texas	Comptroller Texas \| Texas Broadband Development Office
Utah	Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity \| Utah Broadband Center
Vermont	State of Vermont Department of Public Service \| VT Community Broadband Board	Vermont Connectivity Initiative- funds projects that focus on the last mile, minimizing overbuilding of existing cable or DSL infrastructure
Virginia	Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development \| Broadband	Virginia Telecommunication Initiative Community Development Block Grants Virginia Appalachian Regional Commission
Washington	Washington State Department of Commerce \| Washington State Broadband Office	Rural Broadband Program
West Virginia	West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council	The WV Broadband Infrastructure Loan Insurance Program (BLINS)- to expand, enhance and make generally available broadband service throughout the State of West Virginia Community Development Block Grant
Wisconsin	Public Service Commission of Wisconsin \| Wisconsin Broadband Office	Broadband Expansion Grant Program- to encourage the deployment of advanced telecommunications capability in underserved areas of the state TEACH Information Technology Infrastructure Grants- to eligible rural school districts and public libraries
Wyoming	Wyoming State Broadband Program	Broadband Development Grant

Would your organization like to list your funding opportunities?

Please contact us at info@sandcherryassociates.com

Sand Cherry Services Include:

Strategic Planning
Financial Modeling
Funding Applications/Management
Auction Support
RFP Process
Vendor/Resource Selection & Management

Contracts and Negotiation
Network Engineering & Design
Construction
Financial/Budget Planning
Consumer Sales & Customer Care
Technical Operations
Project Management
Recruiting

Compliance
Reporting & Analysis
Funding Reimbursements
Community Outreach
Communications
Government Affairs
Supply Chain Management

Ask Us

For more information on how we can help, contact us at info@sandcherryassociates.com