Grant & Loan Programs: BRIDGE

BRIDGE: Broadband Rural Initiative

The Broadband Rural Initiative to Develop Georgia’s Economy (BRIDGE) Fund provides financial assistance including grants and loans to support deployment of high-speed broadband in rural areas of Georgia.

Program Overview

BRIDGE provides grants and loans for publicly owned infrastructure for new or enhanced high speed broadband services. Based on need, funding is also available to cover all or a portion of costs for technical assistance. Funding amounts are up to $200,000 for a single county and $400,000 for two counties. Regional projects serving three or more counties, one being a directly eligible county, do not have a maximum as based on the strategy and sustainability of the project.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible recipients of grant and loan funds include general purpose local governments (municipalities and counties), local government authorities and joint or multi-county development authorities in the eligible or conditionally eligible counties. Funding is also available to support both single county and multi-county projects. Applicants are encouraged to seek technical assistance with private providers such as telephone, broadband and wireless networks, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Technology Authority or professional technology consultants.

Eligible Projects

Approved activities primarily include technical assistance, engineering and planning services, technology infrastructure, machinery, equipment and real property acquisition.

How It Works

The award will be made as a loan if ownership of the system is exclusively by a private entity, there is the ability to service debt via lease with private sector, etc., and there is a strong pro-forma. OneGeorgia offers 0% interest loans to encourage broadband service to underserved rural areas.