community connect presentation 8 17-12
DESCRIPTION
Broadband Florida presentation on the USDA $200M Community Connect grant program. To register for program webinar on Sept 19 go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SJP5CR5TRANSCRIPT
USDA Community Connect GrantWebinar & Grants Assistance
Lauren HarrisBroadband Florida Grants AssistanceAugust 17, 2012REDI Conference Call
Broadband Grants Assistance Team
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Who we are
Broadband Assistance Grants Team
• Florida Department of Management Services’ (DMS)
• Broadband Florida Initiative
• Funded by the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA)
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Who we are
Mission: Provide technical assistance for grant application development to Community Anchor Institutions at no cost in Florida in order to:
– Reduce the digital divide
– Increase the digital economy
– Improve Florida’s performance on
federal and other competitive grant applications
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What do we offer?
What services do we offer?– Grants research – Grant writing resources and training– Project management– Partnership development support– Grant funding opportunity announcements
• Broadband Grants Digest eNewsletter• Website
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Who we assist?
Who do we assist?Community anchor institutions (CAI) are eligible for our services. CAI are defined by the NTIA as :
• Schools• Libraries• Medical and Healthcare Providers• Public Safety• Institutions of Higher Education • Community Support Organizations• Entities that facilitate greater use of broadband services
USDA Rural Utilities Service Community Connect Grant
FY 2014
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Purpose
The Community Connect Grant Program is designed to provide financial assistance to furnish broadband service in rural, economically-challenged communities where such service does not currently exist.
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Purpose
Grant funds may be utilized to: – Deploy broadband transmission service to critical
community facilities, rural residents, and rural businesses
– Construct, acquire, or expand a community center
– Equip and operate a community center that provides free access to broadband services to community residents for at least two years
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Purpose
What is Funded?– Broadband System:
• Network equipment• Outside plant• CPE, towers• Tower lease• Engineering service
– Operating Expenses• Salaries• Maintenance costs
– Community Center: • 10 computers for the
community center, etc. • Building construction• Facility improvements
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Funding
Over 3 years:
– Minimum grant request amount is: $100,000
– Maximum grant request amount is: $1,500,000
Match:
– At least 15% of the grant amount requested
– Matching contributions are for allowable costs that
could have been financed with grant funds
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Who can apply?
Entities Eligible to Apply:• Incorporated organization
• Indian Tribe or tribal organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C.
450b(b) and (c)
• State or local unit of government
• A cooperative, private corporation or limited liability company
organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.
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Scoring
The application scoring is based on three (3) criteria: 1. Rurality (up to 40 points)
2. Economic Need (up to 30 points)
3. Benefits Derived (up to 30 points)
Objective
Subjective
Sample Ideal Community Profile (60/70 points)• Up to 1,000 Residents• Community MHI ≤$26,213.55 (55th percentile or lower)
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Scoring Focus
Rurality (40 Points) Smallest communities are best positioned to receive funding
Level Over Not in Excess of Points
1 0 499 402 499 1000 353 1000 2000 304 2000 3000 255 3000 4000 206 4000 5000 157 5000 10000 108 10000 20000 5
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Scoring Focus
Economic Need (30 Points) Communities with MHI in the 60th percentile or lower
are best positioned to receive funding.
(Percentile = Community MHI/ State MHI)
Median Household Income for Florida (2006-2010) is $47,661. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Applicant Community MHI must be $35,745.75 or lower to qualify.
Median Household Income is: Percent (%) of
MHI Less Than:
Percent (%) of MHI Greater Than or
Equal To:
Community MHI is ≤ Points
> 75 ≥ $35,745.75 075 70 < $35,745.75 570 65 < $33,362.70 1065 60 < $30,979.65 1560 55 < $28,596.60 2055 50 < $26,213.55 2550 < < $23,830.50 30
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Scoring Focus
Benefits Derived (30 Points)
• Discuss issues and challenges facing this community and how the applicant’s proposal will address them
• Document community’s involvement in project planning, implementation, and support by local residents, institutions, and critical community facilities
• Describe how the community center will be used for instructional purposes including Internet usage
• List Web-based community resources enabled or provided at the Community Center
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Funding
Expected Funding Dates• Funding Announcements May 2013• Deadline June 2013
Webinar• Look for invitation to the webinar
– September 19, 2012– 12:00 Noon. – To register email [email protected]– For more information, see the Broadband Grant Team Website