The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the “Act”) adds two categories of tax-exempt bonds that may be issued for exempt facilities and increases the amount of tax-exempt bonds authorized to be issued for one existing category of tax-exempt...

The Kinder Institute Local and Regional Infrastructure Database contains more than 1,800 planned infrastructure projects identified by surveying local and regional leaders, reviewing capital investment documents, and using other sources. This...

The Urban Institute set out to study how innovative policies and programs from abroad could inform state and local efforts in the US to advance an inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. They produced five briefs, each profiling an approach...

This Interactive Guide from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) provides an interactive, step-by-step approach for users to filter through more than 90 broadband related programs compiled from 12 federal agencies...

This CDBG-CV Broadband Quick Guide summarizes some of the ways Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) grantees can help narrow the digital divide through the provision of broadband infrastructure and services to communities in need...

Through data analysis supported by stakeholder interviews and case studies, this research from the National League of Cities identifies factors that support local engagement in regional economies, how these factors vary for urban and rural places,...

This study from the Pew Charitable Trusts posits three key ingredients that are necessary for effective broadband expansion efforts. Research shows that states are more likely to successfully achieve broadband access goals when they 1) have a...

During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, experts explain how rural communities can embrace the challenges of financing high-speed internet for the economic and societal gains provided by broadband.

This guide was created by the USDA in 2021 for community leaders and other local entities. The guide highlights four key assistance types necessary to building a stronger rural workforce: 1) Workforce development planning; 2) Infrastructure and...

This report from Drexel University's Nowak Metro Finance Lab provides a guide to federal funding in the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The authors place a special emphasis on formula funds received by local anchors, competitive grants, and funds...

This table includes all the federal-to-local funding streams in the American Rescue Plan that reach cities and their residents. It does not include appropriations to Tribal Governments or Agency appropriations focused on program operations at the...

The New Partnership on Infrastructure seeks to advance national policies driven by local innovation, with cities serving as testbeds for experimentation and transferable solutions. This document champions that idea. It is a summation of local...

Public-Private Partnerships, or P3s, have been used across the country to finance broadband. As part of our collaboration with Ice Miller LLP, this video will cover best practices of the P3 model and provide case studies that explore the various...

The “Internet of Things” (IoT) will create unprecedented new uses for internet-enabled devices and heighten demands for connectivity. 5G, considered the next mobile wireless standard, will support the proliferation of these devices. As part of our...

There are many models to financing broadband and finding the correct approach for your community may be challenging. As part of our collaboration with Ice Miller, this video will dive into the details of successful locally owned municipal network...

There are many benefits that come with broadband access and adoption. From healthcare delivery and education to food and retail, the public has much to gain from broadband access. As part of our collaboration with Ice Miller, this video will explore...

COVID-19 has highlighted the need for broadband and the gaps in broadband access. As part of our collaboration with Ice Miller, this video is designed to provide a review of the various approaches to expanding broadband access and how to assess...

This Brookings Institute brief uses historical data and the earliest indicators from the COVID-19 downturn to make the case for a people-first approach to federal infrastructure stimulus. The total cost of these programs would range from $167...

On February 13, 2019, the American Broadband Initiative was launched with the release of the Milestones Report, detailing the Administration’s strategy to drive changes across Federal Agencies to identify and remove barriers to broadband access and...

USDA and its Federal partners have programs that can be used to provide immediate and long-term assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. This resource matrix organizes funding opportunities identified in the CARES Act and...

On the March 27, 2020 Weekly COVID-19 Development Finance Briefing, we discussed how Development Finance Agencies have initially responded to COVID-19, examined Congressional legislation, analyzed how federal agencies are reacting, and looked at a...

CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help...

The Broadband ReConnect Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. This fact sheet was...

During this webinar, experts from across the country discussed creative solutions for responding to the second round of funding for the ReConnect Program, and attendees learned from the successes of the program thus far.

"Moving America and the Environment Forward" is a House Ways and Means Committee statement of principles on how the committee wants to approach an infrastructure bill. It includes $760 billion of proposals.

This toolkit presents USDA programs and resources that support broadband e-Connectivity. It aims to help customers navigate the agencies within USDA to find the opportunity that best fulfills their connectivity needs. From grants and loans, to...

This overview of the USDA's ReConnect Broadband Pilot Program was authored by the Congressional Research Service in July 2019.

During this webinar, Lindsay Miller, Attorney with Ice Miller LLP, Heather Morgan, Executive Director of Project 17, Ryeon Corsi, Management and Program Analyst at USDA-RD, and Jeff Reiman, Vice President of The Broadband Group discussed creative...

This March 2019 report from the Congressional Research Service outlines programs offered by the USDA's Rural Utilities Service that finance rural broadband. These include Community Connect Grants, Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants, the...

The Idaho Knowledge Report 2018 provides the metrics on building a stronger, more innovative economy. This report allows viewers to measure success and identify proscriptive actions towards industries. The Idaho Technology Council recognized the...

During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series, Nathan Rosenberg with The Broadband Group and Gregory Dunn with Ice Miller LLP presented some of the various financing options & ownership structures available to communities to...

Nathan Rosenberg from the Broadband Group presents on financing fiber infrastructure on cities across the U.S.

Jeanne Bonds from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond presents on the Community Reinvestment Act and Broadband.

Phil Dotts and Josh McCoy from Public Financial Management, along with Harrison Diamond from the City of Huntsville, AL, Jeff Reiman from the Broadband Group and Ted Phillips from Huntsville Utilities discuss the unique financing structure that...

The USDA Rural Development 2015 Progress Report details the tangible results across rural America that stemmed from investments by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development team in local businesses, community infrastructure,...

Eric Rockhold from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Kristopher Wahlers from Ice Miller, and Ryan Barrow and Mike Hayden from Kentucky Finance and Administration cover how Kentucky executed a P3 for statewide fiberoptic broadband.

The report describes how the private sector has made investments to expand broadband access in the US. Upgrading to higher-speed broadband lets consumers use the Internet in new ways. The report also explains the benefits of higher-speed broadband...

As a part of the USDA's commitment to strengthening rural economies, a state-by-state "Made in Rural America" report has been released for each state. Each state's factsheet highlights specific USDA investments in rural businesses, manufacturing,...

Chuck Clendenin from California's USDA, gives a thorough overview on opportunities for finance though the USDA. Areas covered include community programs, business & cooperatives, single family housing, and multi-family housing.

This progress report from the USDA takes a look over the 2013 performance of rural development programs in the state.

This progress report from the USDA takes a look over the 2013 performance of rural development programs in the state.

Jim Turner with the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes the latest investments being made for rural areas, such as infrastructure, broadband, renewable energy, housing and other community assets.

The Smart Rural Community by Jesse Ward focuses on the ability of rural communities to use broadband networks to enable a series of applications that the community can leverage for innovative economic development, education, healthcare, governmental...

The USDA created this application guide to assist possible applicants understand all aspects of the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program which provides funds for all costs associated with acquiring broadband telecommunications...

A group of 22 towns in the upper Connecticut and White River valleys of Vermont have formed a joint venture to bring fiber-optic broadband communications services to their region. The towns have signed an InterLocal Contract (ILC), known as East...

Rural communities require access to capital and financial resources for new infrastructure, investment, growth and sustainability. However, the challenges facing rural communities are often far removed from urban and suburban needs. Rural...