Telecommunications
The availability of telecommunications is considered critical in creating sustainable and competitive communities. Community sustainability requires the availability of adequate healthcare, quality education, reliable emergency services, competitive service-sector businesses (banks, insurance, etc.) and connectivity at speeds necessary for entrepreneurs to engage and compete globally.
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has funds available to support the planning, and in some cases, implementation of telecommunications projects.
Telecommunications Planning:
The Virginia Rural Broadband Planning Initiative is a comprehensive telecommunications planning effort that will allow communities to identify and develop all elements necessary to create a successful community broadband network. Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, based on the following eligibility thresholds:
- Must be an eligible entity;
- Communities must provide information acceptable to DHCD that identifies them as rural and without access to sufficient telecommunications services; and
- Communities must demonstrate a readiness and capacity to carry out the planning process. A management team, including local officials and community representatives, must be designated.
Interested individuals are encouraged to download the Request for Proposal and the PowerPoint presentation.
Virginia Community Development Block Grant Program
Through the Virginia Community Development Block Grant (VCDBG) program, telecommunication planning grants are available for future system development and support or implementation efforts. Funds may be utilized to:
- Assist in promoting awareness of potential CDBG eligible activities and gauging stakeholder interest;
- Creating a management team of potential user groups to oversee the creation of a Telecommunications Plan;
- Conduct surveying efforts to document the eligibility of future telecommunication planning and implementation efforts for VCDBG funding;
- Conduct informational and training programs; and
- Identify and procure professional assistance as necessary.
Up to $25,000 per project is available for Telecommunications Planning Grants.
Telecommunications Implementation:
Up to $200,000 per project is available for telecommunications efforts which may include implementation (e.g., installation of a fiber network) or system development and support (e.g., community business training and education). All projects must demonstrate that they meet a CDBG National Objective and demonstrate a direct relationship between intended project efforts and measurable, tangible improvements to the health of the community being served.
All projects funded must first submit a community telecommunications plan for approval to DHCD. Only implementation projects which target “last mile” installation of broadband applications will be considered for funding, i.e., no long-haul backbone systems will be installed with CDBG funds.
Applications for telecommunications projects may combine planning and system development/ technical support or planning and implementation.
Related Links:
Forms:
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