Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund - American Rescue Plan

The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the importance of critical broadband infrastructure to facilitating participation in telemedicine, distance learning, and telecommuting. Reliable, affordable broadband service is necessary to meet these needs in Tennessee’s communities.

The Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund – American Rescue Plan (TEBF-ARP) utilizes a portion of the State of Tennessee’s American Rescue Plan Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF) to make necessary investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure in order to ultimately help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery. 

Program Materials

Please use all .shp files above when designing grant area. 


Timeline

1/4/2022
Notice of Intent form posted

1/11/2022

Notice of Intent form due at 2 PM CST

1/18/2022

Grant application launch

1/25/22

Application Review Webinar

3/14/2022

Application questions due by 2 PM CST

3/14/2022
Completeness Review Deadline

3/15/2022

Grant application due by 2 PM CST

4/4/2022

Public Notice Period begins

4/29/2022
Public Notice Period ends
4/30/2022
Locality matching resolution due to ecd.broadband@tn.gov
 
4/30/2022
Broadband Ready Community application due
 

May 2022
Response Period for Finalists begins

June 2022

Response Period for Finalists ends

Summer 2022

Award Announcement, Notice to Proceed letters issued


Application Instructions - Please Read

  • Navigate to app.tnecd.com and click “Register”
    • You must create a username and password. If you’re submitting more than one application, this will allow you to work on them simultaneously.
  • Once logged in, click “Begin New Application”
  • You must click “Save” at the bottom of the page to save your work or before starting on another application.
  • You will see a “Warning” at the top of the page until you have completed all necessary fields for submission.
  • On the home screen, your application status will remain “In Progress” until you have completed all necessary fields and click submit. You will receive a confirmation email and the status will change to “Completed.”

The grant application contains two sections: Applicant Info and Grant Application.

Applicants submitting more than one application should complete the applicant info section once and the grant application section for each individual project.

Application must be reviewed by a professional engineer (PE) or another qualified individual.

Final application deadline is March 15, 2022 at 2:00 PM CST. Applicants who have incomplete applications as of this date will not be considered.

We will not accept letters or other attachments via postal mail.


Match Requirement

The grant will cover up to 70% of eligible project expenses. Grantee match of 30% may not include in-kind funds but may include a local match.


Questions?

Any questions regarding this application must be submitted in writing via email to:
Recipient: TNECD Broadband, at ECD.Broadband@tn.gov
Subject Line: TNECD Emergency Broadband Fund Application Question