Applicants can now apply for the Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program to strengthen existing broadband network infrastructure.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
Size of the Grant: $10 million
Grant Duration: 3 Year
Details:
The Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program represents an integral and strategic component of both the comprehensive 2019 Rebuild Illinois infrastructure program and the state’s five-year economic plan to expand economic opportunity and reduce socioeconomic gaps through equity investment. Through this program, the Department will fund proposals that support broadband deployment to expand and strengthen existing broadband network infrastructure, health information technology, telemedicine, distance learning, and public safety.
Eligible Project Areas
- For Broadband Access projects, proposals covering unserved and/or underserved areas are eligible for Connect Illinois grant funding via this NOFO. An unserved area is an area of Illinois in which households, businesses, or community anchor institutions lack access to wireline broadband service of at least 25/3 Mbps. An underserved area is an area of Illinois in which households, businesses, or community anchor institutions have wireline broadband access of at least 25/3 Mbps but less than 100/20 Mbps.
Funding Information
- The maximum individual grant amount is $10 million, and applicants are encouraged to submit multiple proposals.
- Grant project work must be completed within three years of an award.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants for this program include an incorporated business or partnership; a political subdivision; a nonprofit organization; a cooperative association; or a limited liability corporation organized for the purpose of expanding broadband access. Illinois public school districts are eligible to apply but may be encouraged to leverage available federal or education-specific funding prior to an award.
For more information, visit Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.