Allowable Uses

• Summary: Impact Aid funds are available for all general fund purposes and can be expended for any purpose, similar to local revenue for education. Funds be used to support connectivity (i.e., broadband infrastructure and adoption), digital skills training, and mobile hotspots (including data plans).
• Description: The purpose of the Impact Aid program is to support local education agencies that are financially burdened by federal activities. Funds are provided under Section 7002 and 7003(b) of the ESEA to local public school districts that serve significant numbers of federally connected children and that have lost a substantial portion of local property tax base due to the acquisition of federal property.
• Application Information/Link: https://impactaid.ed.gov/
  The application deadline was February 1, 2021.
• General Website: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/impact-aid-program/

The Department of Education has multiple programs, similar to the Impact Aid Program, where funds could be used to support broadband access and infrastructure, including:

• Promise Neighborhoods: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-discretionary-grants-support-services/school-choice-improvement-programs/promise-neighborhoods-pn/
• Rural and Low-Income School Program: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/rural-insular-native-achievement-programs/rural-education-achievement-program/rural-and-low-income-school-program/
• Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/rural-insular-native-achievement-programs/rural-education-achievement-program/small-rural-school-achievement-program/
• Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program, Title IV, Part A: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/safe-supportive-schools/student-support-and-academic-enrichment-program/

• Summary: WIOA funds are administered through the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor. WIOA funds can be used to pay for devices and broadband internet service that will allow a participant to create or maintain a wireless connection for distance learning, etc. where such services are already allowable.
• Description: The purpose of WIOA is to strengthen our nation’s public workforce and reduce barriers for those seeking employment, including youth. ETA grant funds cannot be used to enhance or build the infrastructure needed to support local broadband internet service.
• Website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa/

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has multiple programs where funds could be used to support broadband access and infrastructure, including:

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) & Section 108 Loan Guarantee: https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/4891/cdbg-broadband-infrastructure-faqs/
• Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG), Title VI, and ICDBG: https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/BROADBANDGUIDANCE.PDF
• Neighborhood Networks — Public and Indian Housing: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/ross/aboutnn

• Summary: Congress allocated $1.5 billion of CARES Act funds for the EAA program. Allowable use of funds include the deployment of broadband for purposes including supporting telehealth and remote learning for job skills.
• Description: The EAA program is intended to be flexible and responsive to the economic development needs and priorities of local and regional stakeholders. Eligible applicants include district organizations, Tribes, state and local governments, public and private non-profits and others.
• Application Information/Link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=321695
  - There are no submission deadlines under this opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new PWEAA NOFO.
  - Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their applicable EDA Regional Office representatives to discuss their needs and availability of funds. Prospective applicants can find current contact information for EDA Regional Office staff at https://www.eda.gov/contact/.