Top navigation skipped
Prepare Your Application
Here you'll find resources for putting together a successful application.
1
Identify how much it will cost to meet community goals.
2
Determine potential funding models for your community.
- Is there a matching cost-share opportunity?
- Does the community already have funds available, or will it need to borrow?
3
Research federal funding programs.
Be sure to learn what federal funding opportunities allow for and what they don’t.
4
Research grant opportunities in Texas.
The BDO is working to develop a competitive grant program, and having the necessary information ready will better prepare communities to develop their applications when funding becomes available!
We anticipate our grant program will go live in early 2023.
When preparing an application…
Determine eligible uses of funding in connection with last-mile broadband deployment projects. Funds are not eligible for operating costs.
Subgrantees need to provide a universally available, low-cost service plan at 100/20 Mbps or faster. Subgrantees also need to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Prepare these resources before submitting an application for funding:
- Financial statements that are audited by an independent certified public accountant
- Documentation that demonstrates sustainability of proposed projects
- Profile of management personnel including resumes and organizational charts detailing all parent companies, subsidiaries and affiliates
- Network design, diagram, project costs, build-out timeline and milestones for project implementation
- Technical qualifications and ability to complete, operate, and carry out the funded project activities
- The operational capability to qualify to complete and operate the project
- Audited financial statements that demonstrate financial capabilities
- A letter demonstrating local government support
- Activities related to increasing digital adoption and literacy
- Coordination and collaboration with local community
- A workforce that meets high safety and training standards
Federal Funding Programs
Note: All IIJA BEAD and ARPA CPF funding should be considered taxable income.
Although the requirements for BDO grants have not been finalized, they will resemble those of the federal programs.
- ARPA: Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (PDF)
BDO's first funding program will be part of the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF).
CPF Overview
- No match requirement
- Funds can only be used in areas with service less than 100/20 Mbps
- Subgrantees will need to complete an environmental checklist (PDF)
- Projects must meet ALL the following criteria:
- Invests in capital assets designed to directly enable work, education and health monitoring
- Designed to address a critical need that resulted from or was made apparent or exacerbated by the COVID-19 public health emergency
- Designed to address a critical need of the community to be served by it
- Subrecipient monitoring and reporting
- All funds need to be expended by December 2026.
- IIJA Funding
-
- Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD)
Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF)
- $42.5 billion nationwide, a minimum of $100 million per state to expand broadband availability
- Texas’ allocation of funds depends on the latest FCC map.
BEAD Overview
- 25 percent match requirement
- Bank letters of credit and legal opinion on the lines of credit
- Subgrantees can be:
- Cooperatives
- Nonprofits
- Public-private partnerships
- Private companies
- Public or private utilities
- Public utility districts
- Local governments
- Cascading priorities
- Unserved first (less than 25/3 Mbps)
- Underserved next (lacking 100/20 Mbps)
- If funding remains: Community Anchor Institutions (lacking 1/1 Gbps )
- Program requirements
- Speeds more than 100/20 Mbps for homes and businesses
- Latency below 100 milliseconds round trip 95 percent of the time
- Deploy and begin service within four years of funding
- Must offer a low-cost affordability plan
- No data usage caps
- Locations served exclusively by satellite or in an entirely unlicensed spectrum will be considered unserved
- Provide ownership information consistent with the requirements set forth in 47 CFR 1.2112(a)(1)-(7)
- Subgrantees must adhere to environmental and national historical preservation requirements
- Buy America provisions
- All funds need to be expended no later than four years after they are received.
-
- Digital Equity Programs
-
- $2.75 billion is available nationwide to expand access to digital devices and digital training.
- Texas’ estimated allocation is $70 to $100 million via capacity grants.
Details on the Digital Equity Programs are available at the BroadBandUSA site.
Broadband Funding Sources (PDF)
Need assistance?
If your question is not addressed here, Email us.