ConneCTed Communities Grant Program in Connecticut

The ConneCTed Communities Grant Program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), aims to expand broadband infrastructure across underserved and unserved communities within the state. The program aligns with Connecticut's broader energy and digital equity agendas, emphasizing the delivery of fast, affordable, and reliable internet access to households and small businesses. The initiative is backed by funds allocated by the Connecticut General Assembly from the Capital Projects Fund under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). With a particular focus on low-income and multi-family housing units, the program is designed to bridge the digital divide and equip communities with scalable internet solutions. In its third round, the program offers an estimated $2.5 million in grant funding to support the curb-to-home or business broadband buildout. Targeted projects must deliver minimum symmetrical speeds of 100 Mbps and, in most cases, offer gigabit capabilities to meet current and future connectivity demands. All awarded projects are required to reach substantial completion by December 31, 2026. Eligible applicants include a broad array of entities capable of receiving Capital Projects Funds, such as tribal, local, and state governments, commercial service providers, nonprofits, co-operatives, utilities, and institutions of higher education. To ensure impact and sustainability, the program prioritizes last-mile broadband projects with robust pre-planning, end-to-end fiber infrastructure, and a demonstrated ability to deliver or scale up to 1 Gbps/100 Mbps service. Applicants that commit to offering affordable service plans and contribute substantial matching funds receive elevated consideration. Additional program tools include detailed templates and data forms such as budget worksheets, project schedules, installation cost justifications, and specific location eligibility lists based on FCC and BEAD data evaluations. Applicants must submit complete proposals by January 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. No pre-application steps such as LOIs or concept papers are required for participation. DEEP hosted a series of webinars to guide stakeholders, including sessions in October 2024 and April 2025, and an upcoming session scheduled for January 15, 2026, which aims to provide clarity on application preparation and evaluation priorities. While detailed evaluation criteria are not fully disclosed, emphasis is placed on planning maturity, infrastructure quality, affordability, and local financial commitment. Resources to support application development include the official guidance document, location eligibility files, a distressed municipalities list, and various submission templates. These tools ensure that applicants can present compliant and competitive proposals. DEEP’s broadband team can be reached via [email protected] for additional support or inquiries. The award announcements for Round 2 have already been made, totaling approximately $10 million, following an earlier $24 million distributed in Round 1. The program reflects Connecticut’s ongoing commitment to digital infrastructure as a core public utility.

Strong preference given to last-mile projects with substantial matching funds, high-speed scalable infrastructure, and affordability commitments.