The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the FY 2022 Rural eConnectivity Program (the ReConnect Program). The ReConnect Program application window opened November 24, 2021. This program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. USDA plans to make available up to $200 million in ReConnect Program loans, up to $250 million in loan/grant combinations, up to $350 million in grants with a 25 percent matching requirement, and up to $350 million in grants with no matching requirement for projects in tribal and socially vulnerable communities.
Buckeye Hills Regional Council has compiled a ReConnect Fact Sheet that highlights key program details and includes a map of vulnerable communities in Ohio.