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Creates a USDA broadband technical assistance grant program that funds public, private, and nonprofit organizations to provide or obtain technical assistance and training to help rural communities expand broadband service. Grants may be awarded to a range of eligible recipients, prioritize experienced providers, and allow national or multi-State on-site technical assistance applications.
Insert text into the section heading (a textual change to the heading of Section 701 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936).
Establish a Broadband Technical Assistance Program: The Secretary shall make grants to private, nonprofit, or public organizations to provide or receive broadband technical assistance and training to expand access to broadband service in rural communities through the broadband programs of the Department of Agriculture.
Authorized activity (A): Preparing applications for grants, loans, and loan guarantees under Section 701.
Authorized activity (B): Identifying resources to finance broadband facilities from public and private sources, including other Federal agencies.
Authorized activity (C): Preparing feasibility studies, financial forecasts, market surveys, environmental studies, and technical design information to support broadband services.
Who is affected and how:
Rural communities and residents: Benefit indirectly through increased access to expert help for planning, deployment, and adoption of broadband. The program is designed to boost local capacity to apply for construction funds, run community outreach, and manage projects.
Local governments and tribal governments: Can receive or partner with grant recipients to obtain planning, procurement, and project management assistance that they may lack in-house.
Telecommunications and broadband service providers (including small and regional providers): Gain access to technical resources and training that can reduce barriers to deploying service in rural areas and help navigate grant programs or compliance requirements.
Nonprofit organizations and community-based groups: Can be funded to deliver outreach, digital literacy training, and community engagement to increase broadband adoption.
USDA / federal program administrators: Must set application rules, award priorities, and monitor performance; success depends on appropriation of funds and clear guidance.
Overall effects: The program is capacity-building rather than a direct construction subsidy. It should accelerate broadband expansion indirectly by improving local planning, procurement, workforce skills, and project readiness. Impact depends heavily on available funding, outreach to eligible recipients, and USDA’s implementation choices (application criteria, reporting, and prioritization).
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Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced April 30, 2025 by David J. Taylor · Last progress April 30, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House