CONNECT Act of 2023

The CONNECT Act of 2023 establishes a broadband loan and grant program to expand high-speed internet access in rural communities. It creates technical assistance offices and mini-grants (up to $20,000) to help small providers (serving ≤20,000 subscribers) prepare applications, while prioritizing applications from local governments, nonprofits, and cooperatives. The bill streamlines federal permitting for broadband projects on federal lands and establishes a council to develop uniform speed requirements and application standards for federally funded broadband initiatives. It updates eligibility criteria to target areas without existing broadband service or with stalled projects, directly affecting rural communities, small internet providers, and federal agencies administering broadband programs.