Timeline
| Event | Date/Deadline* |
|---|---|
| Areas of Need Published on the ORS Website | 3/15/21 |
| Application Period Opens | 4/1/21 |
| Challenge Period Opens | 4/15/21 |
| Application Period Closes | 5/14/21 |
| Challenge Period Closes | 5/17/21 |
| Submitted Applications Posted on the ORS Website | 5/18/21 |
| Comments Due on Submitted Applications | 6/1/21 |
| Funding Agreements Sent to the Companies | 6/18/21 |
| Funding Agreements Returned to the ORS | 6/30/21 |
| Notices to Proceed Issued | 7/15/21 |
| 3rd Q 2021 Financial and Construction Progress Report Due | 10/15/21 |
| 4th Q 2021 Financial and Construction Progress Report Due | 1/14/22 |
| 1st Q 2022 Financial and Construction Progress Report Due | 4/15/22 |
| 2nd Q 2022 Financial and Construction Progress Report Due | 7/15/22 |
| 3rd Q 2022 Financial and Construction Progress Report Due | 10/14/22 |
| Project Completion | 10/31/22 |
| Final Reporting Due | 1/15/23 |
*All dates are no later than
Rural Broadband Grant Program Timeline (PDF)
As indicated in the timeline above, this grant program has been awarded and all initially funded projects are now complete. The SCBBO has awarded two additional projects with funds remaining scheduled for completion by June 2024. Awarded projects can be viewed through an interactive online map here: Rural Broadband Grant Program Awarded Projects.
All other information on this page is for reference only. Questions may be emailed to broadband@ors.sc.gov.
The Joint Bond Review Committee approved the allocation of $30 million for a competitive grant program to be developed and implemented by the ORS, in coordination with the South Carolina Department of Commerce (SCDOC) to expand broadband availability and access in South Carolina.
Funded Projects
The ORS issued Notices to Proceed to 18 internet service providers in 19 counties for almost $30 million in projects to expand broadband availability in rural areas of need in our state.
Guidelines and Application
The ORS and the SCDOC jointly developed guidelines for the Rural Broadband Grant Program to help ensure that the deployment of grant funds increased the availability and access to broadband in the eligible counties. Recipients were required to provide a 1:1 match of nonpublic funds for any project that received grant funds.
The ORS accepted applications through May 14, 2021.