ConneCTed Communities Grant Program
Program Description
ConneCTed Communities is a competitive grant program that will fund the construction and deployment of broadband infrastructure designed to support the goal of universal access to affordable, resilient, and reliable broadband. DEEP is seeking applications for grant funding to facilitate low-income and multi-family curb-to-home and business broadband infrastructure buildout in underserved areas that will result in service at speeds of at least 100 Mbps/100 Mbps. All projects funded through this program must reach substantial completion within twenty-four (24) months of the award or before December 31, 2026, whichever occurs earlier.
The application period is now closed. Awards will be announced this summer.
Application Package:
Application Portal Instructions and Upload Checklist
Nonstandard Installation Costs Template
Location Data Submission Template
Awardee Sample Contract Template
Program Priorities
The program will prioritize proposals with strong last-mile projects that provide for quality and reliable service that have already undergone extensive prior planning and are supported with substantial matching funds.
In addition to compliance with program requirements, applications will be prioritized based on secondary factors, including, but not limited to:
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Delivery of end-to-end fiber optic infrastructure
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Delivery of 1Gbps/100 Mbps speeds, or scalability to deliver 1Gbps/100 Mbps
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A commitment to service quality and affordable service plans offerings
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A higher contribution of matching funds, with some exceptions
Funding Amount
Up to $40.8 million may be utilized for the ConneCTed Communities Grant Program. The Program is supported using funds allocated by the Connecticut General Assembly through the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Who Can Apply
Applicants must be eligible to receive Capital Projects Funds. Eligible entities include:
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Government entities: Tribal governments; local units of government (e.g., municipalities, counties, and other political subdivisions); State and local agencies
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Private for-profit entities: Commercial service providers (established or new entrants)
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Non-profit entities: Community organizations; institutes of higher education; etc.
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Other: Co-operatives, mutual organizations, utilities
Applicant Webinar
An applicant webinar was held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. EST. See the Agenda, Notice, and Recording.
Important Dates
| Application Release Date | Friday March 1, 2024 |
| Applicant Webinar | Wednesday March 20, 2024 |
| Submission of Questions Deadline | Friday May 3, 2024 |
| DEEP Responses to Questions Published | Tuesday May 7, 2024 |
| Application Deadline |
Tuesday May 14, 2024 |
Resources
- ConneCTed Communities Grant Program FAQ (updated 5/3/24)
- Additional ConneCTed Communities Grant Program FAQ (5/7/2024)
- Capital Projects Fund Guidance for States, Territories, and Freely Associated States
- CPF Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from U.S. Treasury
Contact