Local Governments Eligible To Compete for These Funds

As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Congress created the $14.2 billion Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP provides eligible households with discounts of up to $30 per month for broadband services (and up to $75 per month if the household is on tribal lands) and a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet. As noted in BB&K’s previous guidance, through the ACP, local governments have opportunities to partner with the FCC in assisting eligible residents to enroll in the program.

Now, as a complement to the ACP, the FCC has created a $100 million Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant program. Local governments are eligible to compete for these funds. The order, announced on Aug. 8, directs the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau to develop, administer and manage the program. BB&K is monitoring for the FCC’s release of application forms and specific rules governing this new program.

Additionally, of the 48 million households eligible for the ACP, 5 million of those reside in federally assisted housing. And of those 5 million, only 500,000 are currently signed up for the ACP program. In a separate order, the FCC created a $10 million pilot program – the Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program – to partner with public housing agencies to conduct outreach to those eligible households. Local government housing agencies are also eligible to apply to participate.

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