Funding Agency: United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
Website: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/commconnect.htm

The purpose of the Community Connect Grant Program is to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that will provide currently unserved areas, on a "community-oriented connectivity" basis, with broadband transmission service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and public safety services.  The Community Connect Grant Program stipulates that any recipient must provide a "Community Center with at least ten (10) Computer Access Points within the proposed Service Area, and make Broadband Transmission service available therein, free of all charges to users for at least 2 years."

Just over $13.4 million is available for grants.  The USDA RUS has set a minimum grant amount of $50,000 and a maximum grant amount of $1 million for FY 2009.  There is a 15% matching fund (cash or in-kind) requirement.  Though in past the RUS has featured a Community Connect Grant Program, Community Connect grants for FY 2009 cannot be renewed.