Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Grant
The Broadband Accessibility Grant Program
The Broadband Accesibility Grant Program was designed to address some of the capital expenses associated with broadband build-out in unserved areas. This program aims generally to promote broadband access to all Tennesseans, but more specifically, it aims to use funds in areas that are unlikely to recieve broadband service without any sort of grant.
Eligible Areas
- East
- Cumberland
- Middle
- West
- .shp file - Ineligible Funded Areas from TN Broadband Grant
- .shp file - Ineligible Funded Areas from USDA ReConnect
- .shp file - Ineligible Funded Areas from Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund
- .shp file - Eligible areas lacking 10mb/1mb
- .shp file - Eligible areas lacking 25mb/3mb
Please use all five .shp files above when designing grant area.
Questions?
Any questions regarding this application must be submitted in writing via email to:
Recipient: ECD.Broadband@tn.gov
Subject Line: Grant Application Question
TNECD Broadband reserves the right to adjust timeline dates in the event of extenuating circumstances. Providers will be notified via the TNECD Broadband Mailing List.
6/15/2020 |
Round 4 Program Guidelines, Eligibility Maps Posted |
7/6/2020 |
Grant application available |
7/14/2020 - 10am CT |
Webinar - Application Review |
10/6/2020 |
Questions Due by 2 PM CT |
10/6/2020 |
Completeness Review Deadline |
10/8/2020 |
Grant Application Due by 2 PM CST |
10/8/2020 |
Broadband Ready Communities Application |
10/21/2020 |
Public Comment Period begins |
11/10/2020 |
Public Comment Period ends |
12/22/2020 |
Response Period for Finalists (to Public Comment and Data) begins |
1/13/2021 |
Response Period for Finalists Ends |
Spring 2021 |
Grantees Announced |
Scoring
Category |
Description |
Points Possible |
Need for Grant Funding |
Lack of federal funding that will result in the provision of at least 10/1 service in the proposed area |
10 |
Description of need including an evaluation of eligibility for the grant, why the area is difficult to serve and the likelihood the area will not be served without grant funding |
30 |
|
Percentage of grant area lacking fixed, terrestrial 10mb/1mb connection |
20
|
|
Leveraged and Match Funds |
Additional match (cannot be from another federal or state program) provided by grantee or other leveraged funds |
15 |
Speed, Scalability and Affordability |
Scalability of technology will provide a long-term solution for the community. Speed and affordability are competitive and will meet community needs on both upload and download speeds. |
25 |
Sustainability and Implementation Readiness |
Technical, managerial, and financial capabilities of the applicant demonstrating the ability to complete the proposed project |
30 |
Economic and Community Impact |
Economic development impact and tailoring of project to meet community needs (relative to the overall cost of the project) |
25 |
Service to a previously unserved or underserved community anchor institution |
5 |
|
Adoption Strategy |
Plan to encourage adoption of broadband services |
15 |
Community Support |
Partnerships and support from local community |
20 |
Broadband Ready |
Serves a political subdivision designated as a Broadband Ready Community |
10 |
Project primarily serves a federally designated “Distressed” county or “At-Risk” county |
10 |
|
| 215 |