FUNDING OPPORTUNITY Federal Planning Assistance for Broadband and Sustainable Community Development: Cool & Connected USDA Rural Utilities Service Administrator Brandon McBride encouraged communities interested in using broadband service to help revitalize small-town main streets and promote economic development apply for Cool & Connected, a pilot program sponsored by USDA Rural Utilities Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Sustainable Communities. Through Cool & Connected, a team of experts will help community members develop strategies and an action plan for using planned or existing broadband service to promote smart, sustainable community development. Eligibility · Any community representative is welcome to submit a letter of interest to participate in Cool & Connected. · Special consideration will be given to small towns and rural communities that face economic challenges. · Special consideration will be given to communities in places where USDA has provided loans or grants in support of broadband or other internet-related services. Deadline and where to send letters of interest Submit your letter of interest to Ed Fendley at by Wednesday, February 24, 2016. Kindly include “Cool & Connected†and the name of your community in your e-mail subject line. What to include in your letter of interest Your letter of interest can be in the text of an email or an attachment. It should be no longer than two printed pages. If you want, you can provide additional letters of support from partners, but this is not necessary. Community representatives are encouraged to describe community needs and challenges related to downtown revitalization or other place-based development, and how a planning process might help. You should indicate any areas of interest related to internet service and place-based development, such as: · Using new or existing broadband service to attract new types of businesses to main streets or existing rural communities · Combining internet service with other local amenities to attract new investors, visitors, and residents · Developing or marketing downtown Wi-Fi zones · Extending broadband service beyond anchor institutions in ways that promote main street development · Selecting centrally located anchor institutions or community facilities that will receive broadband service Community representatives submitting letters of interest are also encouraged to indicate partners that can be expected to participate in a planning process, such as local internet service providers, local officials, business associations, or local schools or colleges.
