The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the availability of $13.4 million in broadband Internet connectivity grants for rural communities.

The Community Connect Grant Program provides grants to telecommunications providers and municipalities to finance the installation of broadband service in rural communities, where broadband is least likely to be available.

Grant funds may be used to deploy broadband transmission service to critical community facilities, rural residents and rural businesses. In addition, recipients may construct, acquire or expand, equip and operate a community center that provides free access to broadband services to community residents for at least two years.

“The Community Connect Grant Program is an essential funding source in ensuring access to broadband technology is available to rural communities,” Michael W. Aube, Maine’s USDA rural development state director, said in a press release issued Monday.

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to telecommunications providers and municipalities serving communities of up to 20,000 inhabitants. That number was chosen to ensure rural consumers benefit from the grants, and in turn receive access to the same quality and range of telecommunications services that are available in urban and suburban communities.

Applications must be received no later than March 28, 2008. For information, visit www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/commconnect.htm or contact Gary Vanidestine, utilities program specialist, at 990-9121 or gary.vanidestine@me.usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.