POWER is a congressionally funded initiative that targets federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production. Within the POWER Initiative, $15 million is specifically available for broadband related projects.
Up to one-third of funds provided for the POWER FY20 program will be available to fund broadband deployment projects that enhance access to broadband services. Understanding that broadband deployment projects can be capital intensive, grant requests for deployment projects can be up to $2.5 million, with priority given to projects with evidence of leveraged funding for the overall project.
To qualify for broadband deployment funding, at least 65% of the project’s budget must be directed to the actual deployment of broadband infrastructure. Projects whose budgets direct more than 35% of their funds toward activities not directly associated with deployment of broadband infrastructure will follow the same guidelines as implementation projects.
