USDA Seeks Feedback on Rural Broadband Data
Published Date: 7/20/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Agriculture is asking for public feedback on a new info collection to help improve broadband access in rural areas. This effort, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, aims to make sure the right technical help reaches communities that need it. Comments are open until August 19, 2026, and this process won’t cost respondents unless they see a valid OMB number.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants for Rural Broadband Help
The USDA will award competitive cooperative agreement funding, using technical assistance funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), to eligible entities to deliver technical assistance and training that support expanding high‑speed internet into unserved rural communities. The program (ReConnect/F OA) is administered by the Rural Utilities Service and aims to help communities with planning, engagement, engineering, and related support.
Priority for Tribes and Distressed Areas
Applications to this FOA earn points for projects that benefit targeted groups, including Tribes and Tribal Entities, colonias, persistent poverty counties, and distressed energy communities. Projects that show ability to reach the most rural or targeted communities will score higher under the announced criteria.
Paperwork Burden for Applicants
The information collection lists the respondent type as "Individuals and Households," estimates 95 respondents, requires annual reporting, and totals 2,335 burden hours. Responding to the collection and annual reporting will require applicants or respondents to spend time equal to those hours unless a valid OMB control number is displayed.
Allowed Uses of Technical Assistance Funds
Program funds must be used to support broadband technical assistance activities such as project planning and community engagement, operations support, financial sustainability, environmental compliance, engineering, accessing federal resources, and data collection and reporting. These allowable uses guide how applicants can spend cooperative agreement funds awarded under the FOA.
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Key Dates
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