USDA Awards Just Transition Fund, Rural LISC Broadband Technical Assistance grant to support to coal communities
We’re thrilled to announce that the Just Transition Fund (JTF), in partnership with Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), has been awarded $900,000 through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) program! This grant represents a significant investment in our work to help coal-impacted, capacity-constrained rural communities to overcome barriers to broadband expansion.
Through this partnership, the JTF will provide tailored technical assistance to ensure disconnected communities in six communities are able to leverage federal funds to access affordable high speed internet. Our specific partner in each place will vary, based on who has been leading local broadband efforts. For example, in some communities, we’ll help local telephone cooperatives apply for federal grants, and in others, we’ll work with local councils of governments to identify internet service provider partners who can expand infrastructure to disconnected households. The communities are:
- Platte County, WY
- Halifax County, VA
- Buchanan County, VA
- Bell County, KY
- Maverick County, TX
- Natchitoches Parish, LA
Over the next few months, we’ll be working with our partners in each place to identify technical assistance needs. We’d also love to hear from you if you’re working to expand internet access in any of these areas and could use support to leverage federal funds!
Check out Parts One and Two of our Broadband Blog Post series to learn more about broadband funding opportunities.
<< Back to news