Planning

Great results can only come from sound beginnings 

We know a “one size fits all” approach doesn’t work for our members. The technology path that works for one member may not be right for another. We also know that planning is essential when making significant, often generational, technology investments.

Our Broadband Feasibility Studies, Smart Grid Technology Planning and Funding Services are customized for each member based on your realities – service area, financial situation, current infrastructure, demographics and competitive environment.

The result is a meaningful analysis that empowers you make sound decisions. Our experienced team takes the time to review options with you, make recommendations and develop a technology approach that’s best for you.

Planning also helps you see how all the pieces fit together and figure out what’s next. When you build a broadband network, how can it benefit future smart grid applications? When you deploy a mobile voice and data service, what does it mean for your broadband subscriber base?

We see the big picture, and we take the long view because we that’s what a partner should do.

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Member story

Project to Bring Broadband to Rural Vermont Wins Grants

Two grants totaling more than $16 million to support broadband construction projects. Most of the support – $15,899,089 – goes to the Communications Union District serving the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) to carry on a project connecting 45 rural towns in three counties to fiber broadband. 

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How We Help Our Members Plan Their Projects

Rural Telcos in the Midwest Benefit from More ReConnect Grants

USDA awarded four more grants to build fiber broadband networks in its most recent ReConnect program announcement. Congratulations to three NRTC-member telcos among the winners: McDonough Telephone Cooperative in Illinois; Alpha Enterprises Limited (formerly Upper Peninsula Telephone) in Michigan, and Paul Bunyan Rural Telephone Cooperative in Minnesota. The three will serve more than 6,000 people with combined awards of $43 million. The current third Round of the ReConnect program has awarded $1.7 billion through several tranches so far. USDA has already collected applications for the $1.15 billion Round 4.
BDC Burnout? 5 Tips for Generating Your Next BDC Report

BDC Burnout? 5 Tips for Generating Your Next BDC Report

(March 22, 2023 – 1:00 PM ET) Did you finish submitting your BDC report to the FCC and think that there must be an easier way to do this? Join NRTC’s Bailey White, co-founder of CrowdFiber, on Wednesday, March 22 at 1:00 PM EDT for an informative and interactive session to help demystify the BDC ... Read more

USDA Awards $2.7 Billion in Loans for Smart Grid and Fiber Projects

Several NRTC members appear on the list of those USDA recently awarded loans to build fiber and smart grid infrastructure projects. In total, the agency will support 64 projects in 26 states for a total of $2.7 billion. The funds awarded through USDA’s Electric Loan Program also could apply toward wind and solar projects under the rules, although the announcement did not mention any solar or wind projects in the current round of funding. “Clean energy” projects could be included in up to $12 billion in grants and loans through future awards from the 2022 Infrastructure Reduction Act.

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