Deadline: 12/10/22
Amount: Up to $5,000,000
Website: https://cdola.colorado.gov/dola/funding-programs/broadband-program
Description:
Grants to Colorado government agencies to improve high-speed internet connectivity in underserved or rural locations. Applicants must contact program staff prior to submitting an application. Funding may be used for the design, planning, construction, and equipment of public broadband facilities.
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) with funding supports the Broadband Interconnectivity Program to provide public institutions, private businesses, and citizens with access to reliable broadband service. Grants are prioritized toward providing broadband interconnectivity between communities in rural or other areas that are currently unserved and underserved by broadband infrastructure. Users are defined as being unserved or underserved if they lack access to a wireline connection capable of reliably delivering at least minimum speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to households and businesses.
Regional Broadband Interconnectivity plans should consider the following in project development:
- Current available broadband capacity, both used and unused
- Determining the cost of realizing current unused capacity
- Prioritization of the community’s broadband needs (redundancy, reduced cost, increased speed, etc.)
- Alternatives for achieving community’s desired broadband service level (must include private and/or public/private options)
- Private sector providers must be invited to participate in planning efforts
- Projects may include needs assessments, regional plans identifying network gaps, interconnectivity strategies and solutions
Regional Interconnectivity grant applications should consider the following in project development:
- Establish local area networks that create or improve interconnectivity between community anchor institutions (fire stations, law enforcement, schools)
- Provide interconnection between communities in rural unserved or other unserved areas of the state
- The minimum project geography is at a county level
- Projects must be consistent with a regional plan
- Projects must have a sustainable operations plan and work can include conduit, fiber or tower installations
Eligible applicants:
Eligible entities include Regional Councils of Governments (or similar collaboration) and local government partnerships. Projects awarded money under this grant program, except for projects awarded to Indian tribes or nations, cannot use the money for last-mile broadband deployment.
PROGRAM CONTACT
Greg Winkler
(970)-668-6160