Illinois Administrative Code › Title 14 - COMMERCE › Part 548 - BROADBAND GRANT PROGRAMS › Subpart B - CONNECT ILLINOIS GRANT PROGRAM › Section 548.70 - Administrative Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
Grant opportunities and awards will be administered in a
				  manner that complies with all State and federal requirements applicable to each
				  funding opportunity, including, but not limited to GATA, the Uniform Guidance
				  and all applicable State or federal laws or guidance (e.g., U.S. Department of
				  the Treasury guidance at
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds
).
				  Grant applicants and grantees shall review all application materials and grant
				  award documents, and shall follow the requirements listed in this
				  Section.
a) Application Process
1) The Department will post one or more
				Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on the GATA Grantee Portal (
https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/
)
				seeking applications from eligible entities contingent upon available funds.
				Funding is available for one or more of the eligible project activities listed
				in Section 548.50. A single NOFO may seek
				applications for more than one type of project. Applicants shall submit their
				application materials by the deadlines set by the Department in the NOFO, which
				will be at least 30 days after the NOFO posting.
2) As part of the application, applicants
				shall provide the following information about the proposed project:
A) a description of the purpose of the grant
				project;
B) a project dashboard
				summarizing key activities including a description of activities, eligible
				costs, communities served, technology and infrastructure metrics;
C) a description of the overall
				project;
D) a description of the
				broadband related problems and challenges facing the targeted communities and
				customers, needs and gaps, the shortcomings of existing solutions, challenges
				with prior attempts to solve the problem and how the project significantly
				solves the problem;
E) a
				description of the project's solution to the broadband related problem
				including the network technology, internet services and business strategy to
				drive adoption;
F) a description of
				the targeted beneficiaries of the project that addresses the location of the
				communities, market size, economic conditions of the service areas, and
				targeted customer segments, including providing information on the unserved
				and/or underserved areas (if applicable) that will be included within the scope
				of the project;
G) a description of
				anticipated social and economic benefits that will be realized by the distinct
				customer segments;
H) a narrative
				description of the organization's mission and operating history;
I) a description of the capabilities,
				experiences, and track record of the organization and its partners to
				successfully implement, operate and sustain the project;
J) a description of the projects service area
				including a map of the proposed project area;
K) project impact statement including, but
				not limited to, the number of serviceable user segments, list of premises
				served, and list of interconnection points;
L) a narrative description of the specific
				social and economic benefits of connecting the following user segments -
				residents, businesses, community institutions, and other internet service
				providers;
M) whether the project
				is providing broadband improvements to an economically distressed
				area;
N) if applicable, the
				non-state matching funds and demonstration of financial need;
O) the specific activities and costs proposed
				for the grant;
P) a requested
				budget and supporting justification of the costs requested;
Q) evidence of community support for the
				project;
R) a detailed narrative
				regarding the project readiness;
S)
				a description of the project viability and sustainability including network
				capacity and scalability, and financial sustainability; and
T) pricing strategy, affordability and
				adoption assistance.
3)
				Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the funds for the
				program are depleted or the application period closes, whichever comes
				first.