USDA ReConnect Program

Colorado Broadband Office Funding

ReConnect

ReConnect is the USDA’s newest grant, loan, and combination grant/loan program supporting broadband access to rural homes, farms and businesses.

ReConnect Awards serving Colorado

Round 1:

  • On November 25, 2019, Emery Telecommunications & Video Inc. was awarded a $2.7 million grant to deploy fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP), serving 551 homes and farms, 494 in Colorado and 57 in Utah.

Round 2:

  • On October 13, 2020, Emery Telecommunications & Video Inc. was awarded a $6.3 million grant to deploy a FTTP network to connect 1,638 people, 91 farms, 52 businesses, three fire stations and two post offices in Dolores, San Miguel and Montezuma counties. Emery will provide a $2.1 million match making the total project cost $8.4 million.
  • On October 29, 2020, Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA) was awarded a $6 million grant to provide gigabit FTTP, expanding northwestern Colorado’s rural broadband access to 264 homes, farms and businesses located in Routt, Moffat and Eagle counties. YVEA will provide a $2 million match making the total project cost $8 million.
Reconnect Round 2

The USDA will make up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. The USDA can move money between funding products given the demand on each funding product. The application window for ReConnect Round 2 closed April 15, 2020.

Three Colorado broadband providers applied for $25.1M in USDA ReConnect Round 2 100% Grant funds. The ReConnect 100% Grant product requires a 25% match, ($8.4M) making the total project cost $33.5M for the proposed broadband projects. If funded, these projects will provide FTTH to over 3,112 locations in western Colorado.

ReConnect Round 1

ReConnect Round one applications are still under review. The USDA will continue to announce awards until all Round one applications have been evaluated. Check the ReConnect Program Awardees page for updates.

On April 10, The USDA published a notice in the Federal Register stating that the Agency will establish a set-aside for the $100 million for priority processing for applicants that submitted a 100% grant application during the first round of funding.

Three Colorado broadband providers filed ReConnect Round one applications, totaling more than $27M, offering to bring FTTP to over 4,000 rural Coloradans. Emery Telcom was awarded a $3.6M, 100% grant for FTTP, serving 551 homes and farms, 494 in Colorado and 57 in Utah. Emery Telecom was the only award in Round 1 ReConnect benefitting Colorado communities.