State Senator Scott Bennett is encouraging local businesses and nonprofits to apply for the second round of Connect Illinois grants in order to expand broadband service in rural communities lacking reliable internet access.
The second round of Connect Illinois grants will award up to $5 million per project and calls for a nonstate matching component, which requires applicants to dedicate funding that will accelerate the delivery of broadband investments. Internet service providers, rural cooperatives, nonprofits and local governments are eligible to apply.
Funding for the Connect Illinois program is made possible through Rebuild Illinois, the state’s historic, bipartisan $45 billion statewide construction program, which has dedicated $420 million to broadband infrastructure.
Applications can be found under “Grant Opportunities” at www2.illinois.gov/dceo and will remain open through March 1st.
