DDAA Monthly: March 2025🌸

March 27, 2025 | Diana Romero

For all your LDD news!

<!–

<!–

DDAA Monthly

<!–

Feature

<!–

<!–

Connecting Rural Polk and Rutherford Counties Within the Foothills Regional Commission Footprint

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

In North Carolina, units of local government cannot own and operate their own broadband network. This has led to slower adoption rates and a variety of other issues such as higher prices and gaps in digital literacy, especially in Western North Carolina, where the population density and challenging terrain impairs internet service providers from investing in the infrastructure to connect homes and businesses.

<!–

<!–

To meet this need in Polk and Rutherford Counties, two of the four counties that Foothills Regional Commission serves, Pangaea internet was formed and began operating as a full non-profit internet service provider. Since 2007, when Pangaea opened, they have run 343 miles of network and serve over 375 customers at more than 400 locations.

<!–

<!–

Pangaea was awarded funding from ARC totaling $600,000 for the construction of additional fiber and other key infrastructure upgrades. This funding will provide an additional 8 miles of fiber and serve an additional 800 homes and 110 businesses. This project has potential to triple their customers and expand their mission of ensuring residents have access to broadband that is effective, consistent, and affordable.

<!–

<!–

Read Here for More Information

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

News

<!–

<!–

A Frozen Clean Energy Program Leaves Rural Businesses in the Lurch

Diversified Energy, FuelCell Energy, and TESIAC Announce Strategic Partnership to Supply 360 Megawatts of Clean Power to Data Centers in Appalachia

Chairmen Guthrie and Hudson Announce Subcommittee Hearing on Rural Broadband

Gov. Ivey Announces Two Grants for Improvements in Town of Mentone, AL

NC IDEA Foundation Announces Over $1M in Grants to Advance Rural Entrepreneurship Statewide

River Bend, NC Awarded $10M for Water System Improvements

Rural Broadband Project Makes First Connection in Loudoun, VA

<!–

<!–

SBA Extends Disaster Loan Application Deadline for Victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton

SBA Rolls Out New Loan Program

SCOTUS to Decide Future of Fund Seen as Lifeline for Rural Broadband

Secretary Kennedy Renews Public Health Emergency Declaration to Address National Opioid Crisis

Shaking Up Federal Grants: What to Expect Under the Trump Administration

South Union Township Awarded $2.4 Million Grant for Infrastructure

Tennessee Pours New Money Into Etowah’s Water Infrastructure

<!–

<!–

Research

Atoms for Appalachia: The Role of Nuclear Energy in Economic Development

Study Shows Potential for Drone-Based Health Resources Delivery in Appalachia

Virginia Tech to Lead $10 Million Critical Mineral Research Coalition in Appalachia

<!–

<!–

Events

Webinar: Export-Oriented Industry Clusters, Trade and Transportation in Appalachia

April 15, 2025

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET

More Information

2025 DDAA Professional Development Seminar

Jul 28 – 29, 2025

Pittsburgh, PA

More Information

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

Grant Opportunities

<!–

<!–

2025 ARC Mini (Flex-E) Grants – The Center for Rural Development

Deadline: May 2, 2025

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Seeks Applications to Support Economic Development and Create Jobs in Rural Communities

Application Deadlines:

Third Quarter: March 31, 2025
Fourth Quarter: June 30, 2025

AmeriCorps: Formula Grants

Deadline: Rolling

Appalachian Solar Finance Fund

Deadline: Rolling

<!–

<!–

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health

Deadline: Rolling

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program

Deadline: Rolling

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program

Deadline: Rolling

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

DDAA Website

<!–

<!–

ARC Website

<!–

<!–

CREC Website

<!–

<!–

NADO Website

<!–

<!–

FOLLOW US

<!–