NTIA's Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program has released their NOFO (closing 1/23/24) for their 2nd round of funding.  This historic funding opportunity will be open for only the next 6-months!!

The NTBG grant opportunity for FY 2022 closed November 17th, 2022.  For more information about this grant, please visit our Announcement page on Grants.gov.

Congratulations to the FY 2022 NTBG Awardees!!  The Awardees are listed below and on our Press Release:

Tribal Broadband AwardeeProjectAward Amt.Description
Tunica-Biloxi Indian TribeTunica-Biloxi Broadband Development and Deployment Feasibility Study

$175,000.00

 

Through the feasibility study, the Tribe expects to identify and develop a comprehensive plan to increase broadband adoption and use among Tunica-Biloxi citizens. Increased access to broadband services for Tribal citizens will enhance health, educational, and business services, regardless of their location.

 

The Muscogee (Creek) NationMCN National Tribal Broadband Feasibility Expansion Study Project

$175,000.00

 

The feasibility study will perform an analysis of existing broadband providers, develop a comprehensive strategy for the interconnection points identified, and inventory existing resources to meet the critical needs of the community and continue to address the sustainability of our community through Tribal broadband expansion.

 

Pala Band of Mission Indians

Pala Broadband Planning: Pala Band of Mission Indians Feasibility Study and Assessments for Broadband Implementation; Promoting Self-Efficiency, Business Development, Education, and Communications

 

$175,000.00

 

The feasibility study will provide the Tribe with the information needed for the establishment, expansion, and implementation of a sustainable broadband access solution to improve broadband access for existing underserved/unconnected Tribal areas. It will help the Pala Band of Mission Indians make decisions regarding the deployment of broadband in our community, emphasizing that this opportunity would continue to support our sovereignty as a Nation.

 

Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of TexasFeasibility Study of Tribe-Deployed Broadband for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas (ACTT)

$175,000.00

 

The feasibility study will prioritize development of broadband connectivity for the distinct purpose of enhancing the overall economic resilience of the Tribal community in Polk County, Texas. The project will focus the Tribe’s efforts to become a connected community while sustaining the culture and heritage of the people of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas.

 

Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians of CaliforniaBroadband Infrastructure Study for Southern Reservation

$175,000.00

 

The feasibility study will identify a potential plan and scope for installation and implementation of broadband infrastructure and service on Tribal lands. The proposed project will result in a plan ready for implementation that will support the Tribe’s enterprises and affirm its Tribal sovereignty.

 

Pueblo of Laguna, New MexicoPueblo of Laguna Grant Application to BIA NTBG 2022 OIED Internet Service Provider Development Feasibility Study and Business Plan

$174,770.00

 

The feasibility study and business plan will explore the potential development and build out of an Internet Service Provider entity on the Pueblo. It will provide guidance to the Pueblo of Laguna and Laguna Economic Advancement on the path forward to providing high-speed, affordable, reliable, and sustainable internet to the Pueblo of Laguna community.

 

Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian TribesTlingit & Haida Broadband Prince of Wales Study

$174,500.00

 

The feasibility study will assist the Tribe’s mission to provide high-quality, modern broadband infrastructure critical to promoting the economic sovereignty and success of our citizens.

 

Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone TribeLPPSR Network Expansion Planning

$174,360.86

 

The feasibility study will focus on the enhancements needed to expand LPPSR’s currently planned broadband network. The expansion will allow the Tribe to use more digitally advanced technologies to meet their economic development and environmental priorities. The technical requirements and vertical solutions provided will aid LPPSR in our pursuit to meaningfully participate in the digital economy.

 

Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of MontanaTribal Broadband Feasibility Study Grant Proposal for Tribal Broadband Development, Employment Generation, and Middle Mile Infrastructure

$161,416.00

 

The feasibility study will encompass the existing, planned, or requested infrastructure and changes to the overall reservation area with Tribal members moving back to the reservation due to the economic climate, and new housing communities being developed. We hope to identify the degrees to which reliable broadband will improve the quality of life and address Tribal needs to spur economic development and commercial activity, creating opportunities for self-employment, enhancing educational resources and remote learning opportunities, and improving public safety.

 

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, MichiganSault Tribe Broadband Planning Grant (NTBG)

$156,026.06

 

The feasibility study will identify the technical broadband delivery options available, given the topography of our land. It will also identify construction costs and plans, identify all current service, survey the Sault Tribe members, identify the current need, plan for ISPs, and identify potential partners.

 

Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South DakotaFeasibility Study and Business Plan for Rosebud Sioux Tribe ISP

$147,293.00

 

The purpose of this grant request is to perform a feasibility study and a business plan for the deployment or expansion of high-speed internet (broadband) transmitted through wireless and fiber connections that will be built with funding awarded to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe through its successful application for a NTIA Tribal Connectivity grant. The resulting wireless and fiber network intends to serve all households, businesses, and Tribal locations on Tribal lands.

 

Nenana Native AssociationNenana Broadband Feasibility Study and Engineering Analysis

$139,638.00

 

The feasibility study looks to establish a coordinated and strategic approach towards a construction ready design for the rural, unserved community of Nenana, Alaska. The proposed study will assess the feasibility of deploying a fiber network in the village amongst many existing, poorly documented buried and overhead utilities, considering the financial and practical risks and contemplating future operations and maintenance. This project aligns with the Tribe’s objectives to improve quality of life, spur economic development and commercial activity, create opportunities for self- employment, enhance educational resources and remote learning opportunities and meet emergency and law enforcement needs by bringing broadband services to Nenana, Alaska.

 

Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of the Lower Brule Reservation, South DakotaLower Brule Reservation Tribal Broadband Project

$131,300.00

 

The feasibility study will assess the risks, rewards, and roadmap for the creation of a telecommunications enterprise to serve the Lower Brule reservation of South Dakota. The outcomes will empower the Tribe with the information required to adequately address the considerations of financial and practical risks associated with developing a broadband network proposed to be within the two communities of Lower Brule and West Lower Brule and throughout the reservation area, population 698.

 

Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of CaliforniaMiddletown Rancheria Broadband Partnership and Engineering Feasibility Study

$130,000.00

 

The feasibility study aims to develop Middletown’s own broadband network upon its Tribal lands. This project will allow Middletown to explore the feasibility of maintaining most of the current service but providing augmentation and/or far tolerance to the existing pipe and connecting Middletown's future fiber network to internet backhaul provided by a second provider, which is located just outside of Williams. Bringing backhaul to Middletown would aid the Rancheria in creating and maintaining its own internet service rather than having to rely on the often-spotty service currently provided. By improving broadband access for its 201 Tribal members as well as surrounding populations, Middletown Rancheria will improve the wellbeing of its rural community by making critical services, such as telehealth, remote work opportunities, and online education available.

 

Bay Mills Indian Community, MichiganBay Mills Indian Community Feasibility Study to Assess Broadband

$120,361.08

 

The feasibility study will provide an assessment, followed by technical analyses, to delve into the community’s broadband needs, services, and infrastructure. A final report of the assessment may contain a roadmap for the execution and assist in positioning BMIC to pursue further funding for broadband.

 

Prairie Band Potawatomi NationPrairie Band Potawatomi Nation Broadband Feasibility Study and Business Plan

$107,520.00

 

The feasibility study will include a financial analysis, a competitive and needs analysis, and an operating pro forma business plan. of fiber broadband on the Nation’s land in rural northeast Kansas. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the critical need for reliable, quality broadband access to every home. Upon completion, the Nation will be closer than it has ever been to a state of readiness to deploy broadband.

 

Lummi Tribe of the Lummi ReservationLummi Nation Community Broadband Roadmap

$104,835.00

 

The goal of the feasibility study is to examine the Tribe’s ability to bring ultra-fast internet and communication to the Lummi Nation. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how essential broadband services are, however, there are many areas in the community where broadband speeds are too slow and some areas where residents do not get broadband services. So, the development of a Lummi-owned Internet Service Provider will help close the digital divide by bringing critical broadband infrastructure to the Lummi Reservation.

 

Iowa Tribe of Kansas and NebraskaIowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Broadband Feasibility Study

$102,980.00

 

The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska has a Tribally-owned fiber network that was installed on part of the reservation 10 years ago. It does not reach all the homes or anchor institutions, is unreliable, and needs to be upgraded and expanded to meet the needs of the residents and business. This grant will fund a feasibility study and create a broadband plan to meet the digital access and equity needs of the community for healthcare, education, and economic development.

 

 

Our Division of Economic Development provides the opportunity for tribes to receive funding to explore the possibility of developing or extending broadband services in their communities to: 

  • Spur economic development and commercial activity 
  • Create opportunities for self-employment 
  • Enhance educational resources and remote learning opportunities 
  • Meet emergency and law enforcement needs

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) also has grants to expand broadband access and adoption on tribal land through its Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.  Whereas their application window closed on September 1, 2021, we will also update this webpage for their next solicitation.

Eligibility Information

All federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, bands, villages, nations, or communities are eligible for NTBG funding. NTBG grant applications are rated on the potential positive impacts broadband could bring to an applicant’s community, with additional credit awarded to applications involving projects to be developed in Opportunity Zones. An Opportunity Zone is an economically-distressed community where new investments, including investments in broadband systems, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment under certain conditions.

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Division of Economic Development
1849 C Street, N.W., Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
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