7 USC 950bb-1 - Expansion of middle mile infrastructure into rural areas

U.S Code last checked for updates: Jan 18, 2025

§ 950bb–1.

Expansion of middle mile infrastructure into rural areas

(a)

Purpose

(b)

Middle mile infrastructure

(c)

Grants, loans, and loan guarantees

(d)

Eligibility

(1)

Eligible applicants

(A)

In general

To be eligible to obtain assistance under this section, an eligible entity shall—

(i)

submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require;

(ii)

agree to complete build-out of the middle mile infrastructure described in the application by not later than 5 years after the initial date on which proceeds from the assistance provided under this section are made available; and

(iii)

submit to the Secretary a plan to ensure the viability of the project by—

(I)

connecting, assisting with connecting, or enabling the connection of retail broadband systems that serve rural areas within the proposed service territory to the middle mile infrastructure project in an affordable and economically competitive manner;

(II)

leasing or selling sufficient capacity prior to project approval; and

(III)

complying with any other requirements imposed by the Secretary.

(B)

Additional end user broadband programs

(2)

Eligible service territories

(3)

Eligible projects

A project shall be eligible for assistance under this section if at the time of the application—

(A)

at least 75 percent of the interconnection points serve such eligible rural areas; and

(B)

the Secretary determines that the proposed middle mile network will be capable of supporting retail broadband service meeting the maximum broadband buildout requirement established under section 950bb(e)(4) of this title for the residents within the proposed service territory.

(e)

Limitation on grants

In making grants under this section, the Secretary shall—

(1)

not provide any grant in excess of 20 percent of the total project cost; and

(2)

provide grants only to those projects which serve rural areas where population density or geographic characteristics make it infeasible to construct middle mile broadband systems without grant assistance.

(f)

Terms, conditions, and adequacy of security

(g)

Authorization of appropriations

(May 20, 1936, ch. 432, title VI, § 602, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title VI, § 6111, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1203, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VI, § 6111, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1965; amended Pub. L. 115–334, title VI, § 6202, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4734.)

cite as: 7 USC 950bb-1