Rural Electricification Act of 1936
The Infrastructure Program provides financing for the construction, maintenance, improvement and expansion of telephone service and broadband in rural areas.
10.851
Loan or loan guarantee
Not Applicable
Other (i.e. one-time funding): See the Program’s regulation, 7 CFR 1735.
Applications are accepted year-round.
Total Amount: $690,000,000
Amount Available Towards Broadband (if specified):
No
This program cannot be used as a match to other federal programs.
As established in 7 CFR 1735.2 minimum level of service is 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. The agency may change the minimum transmission capacity by way of notice in the Federal Register.
This program is intended to serve rural areas and towns with a population of 5,000 or less.
Not Applicable
Telecommunications Program Funded Service Map: https://ruraldevelopment.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=93ba783edf5b407c9641b2f8653e8c1d
Additional requirements, including required reporting by grant awardees, can found in the program’s regulation, 7 CFR 1735, and on the program’s website, https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-infrastructure-loans-loan-guarantees
Telecommunications Program Funded Service Map: https://ruraldevelopment.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=93ba783edf5b407c9641b2f8653e8c1d
Loan Origination and Approval Division (202) 720-0800 General Field Representatives (GFR) https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/telecom-gfr
March 2023