Extension of Capital Project Fund Grants

There is a glimmer of hope that internet service providers that won state grants that were funded from the Capital Project Fund can get an extension of six months to complete grant construction. The Capital Project Fund was created by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act and provided almost $10 billion to states and territories for making broadband-related grants. The program was administered by the Department of the Treasury, which gave block grants to States. Each State then made awards through State Broadband grant programs to ISPs. I’ve seen estimates that CPF grants have funded projects to bring new broadband infrastructure to roughly 2 million rural passings. The grants could also be used to purchase devices like laptops and computers for qualifying households. The final approved use of the funds was to construct or improve physical community hubs where citizens can remotely access work, education, and telehealth services. Many State grants awarded under this program have been constructed and up and operating. But as inevitable, some grant winner had delays and don’t expect to finish grant construction by the end of this year when the funding expires. On May 6, the Department of the Treasury updated the Coronavirus Capital Project Fund FAQs. The update includes a process where some projects can get an extension to complete construction for six months, until June 30, 2027.