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  2. Retrofit Ancillary Grantee (RANGE) Program

Retrofit Ancillary Grantee (RANGE) Program

RANGE icons

Cycle 1 Applications

Deadline: Wednesday, June 18

Apply Now

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Contact

Please contact broadband@masstech.org if you have questions or need assistance.

The Residential Retrofit Program (Retrofit Program), launched in 2024, deploys state-of-the-art broadband infrastructure to public and affordable housing properties across Massachusetts. The Retrofit Program intends to increase opportunities for low-income residents by improving access to high-quality, reliable and affordable internet service in their homes. This is achieved by addressing deficient wiring and infrastructure through grants for the deployment of fiberoptic cabling to the unit to qualified Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who will install, own and maintain equipment.

To ensure that the infrastructure enhancements being made under the Retrofit Program are utilized to their fullest extent, MBI introduced the Retrofit Ancillary Grantee (RANGE) program. Grants in the amount of $8M will be made available directly to housing operators participating in the Retrofit Program through an open application process. RANGE awards will allow housing operators to make investments in four areas. Please refer to the Eligible Activities below.

RANGE one-pager (PDF)

Timeline

MBI will administer three cycles under the RANGE program. Award amounts will be calibrated in each cycle to ensure applicants in later rounds have equal access to funding, with awards expecting to average approximately $200 per unit for any given development. All projects awarded under this program must be completed by December 31, 2026.

Cycle 1 opens Wednesday, April 30 and closes Wednesday, June 18.

Grant Cycle Timeline

 

Date

Cycle 1

Open Date

Close Date

April 30, 2025

June 18, 2025

Cycle 2

Open Date

Close Date

September 16, 2025

October 28, 2025

Cycle 3

Open Date

Close Date

January 6, 2026

February 12, 2026

Application Process

Housing operators may submit an application for RANGE awards for any development under their ownership receiving infrastructure investments under the Residential Retrofit Program. Housing operators must submit an individual application, including a unique scope of work and budget, for each development they seek to receive a RANGE award. Applications for RANGE awards will be received via an online form.

Apply Now for Cycle 1          Application Preview (PDF)

MBI will review applications for completeness; incomplete applications will not be scored. 

Applicants should complete the online application after collecting all of the required documentation.

The required documents listed below should be uploaded to the online application. 

  • MBI Budget Sheet
  • Signed Property Access Agreement (must include 2 signatures ISP and operator)
  • W-9 Taxpayer ID form
  • UEI Number

Participation Eligibility

Housing operators who have participated in previous Residential Retrofit Program grant rounds are eligible to apply via our online application.

Participating housing operators will be able to invoice expenses on a monthly basis upon submission of an approved purchase order for any given line item. Awardees will be responsible for submitting a final report upon completion of the program documenting the use of funds and impact on residents’ ability to utilize broadband and other technology services.

Eligible Activities

Digital Navigation Icon (people sitting and talking)

Wages, training and required equipment of a resident(s) who can act as a liaison between the tenants, service providers and housing operator staff throughout the construction and installation of the Retrofit Program network. The coordinator/navigator would work with the housing operators and residents to communicate the construction schedule and navigate and direct resident concerns to respective housing operator staff to support the service providers with the construction process. Coordinators or Digital Navigators may also help residents with technical needs regarding digital or online tools.

Example Digital Navigation/Tenant Coordination Activities: 

  • Identify needs: Assess residents' needs related to installation/ broadband access
  • Connect residents to services: Link residents to community resources and services
  • Coordinate services: Support successful construction and installation of networks by coordinating between ISP and residents
  • Develop programs: Plan and implement activities, events, and programs
  • Educate residents: Teach residents about new service
  • Build community: Encourage resident interaction and leadership through events or joint learning sessions

Application Requirements: Applicants should provide a job description for this role, an estimate of hours of work and work schedule. The description should include a clear set of objectives and a list of tasks the coordinator will manage.

Digital Literacy icon (person pointing to screen with 2 people in audience)

Support activities aimed at building tenants’ digital skills. Eligible activities include the development and/or delivery of digital literacy training curricula and partnerships with service providers offering instruction. Services may be tailored for specific populations such as seniors, people with disabilities or other groups that may face unique challenges in adopting and using broadband technology, including providing appropriate accommodations. 

Example Digital Literacy Activities:

  • Digital Literacy Training: Providing education on how to use the internet effectively, from basic tasks like using a search engine to more advanced skills like online job searching, telemedicine, or participating in online learning. 
     
  • Outreach Materials: Programs may develop marketing, education, and outreach materials—both print and digital—including expenses for translation and graphic design.
     

Application Requirements: Within the program narrative, applicants should include a scope of work detailing a series of classes or programming that will be utilized to achieve specific learning outcomes. The narrative should describe where classes will be held and how your organization will ensure participation in programming. 

organization will ensure participation in programming.

Public Space Improvement icon (person sitting at a desk with a tablet)

Housing operators may use grant funds to purchase equipment, wiring not being improved under the core Retrofit Program, furniture, facility improvements and devices to support broadband adoption in common areas. Operators should anticipate the need for support with device installation, software setup and other associated one-time implementation needs. Funds under the RANGE program may not be used for ongoing operating expenses or internet service.

Example Public Space Improvements:

  • Establishment of a computer lab or other multi-use facility that would encourage broadband adoption with publicly accessible computers and equipment
  • Installation of specialized privacy spaces for activities such as, but not limited to, telehealth, educational activities or job interviews
  • Other types of equipment to be used in publicly available spaces that encourage broadband adoption

Application requirements: Within the program narrative, applicants should include a scope of work detailing a schedule and plan for installation. Applicants should include a clear narrative on how the space is used or will be used once updated and how the space will support the adoption of broadband infrastructure improvements made under the Retrofit Program grant. The application should also clearly describe how the improvements will augment residents' access and livability and promote greater digital participation. All requested materials should include a clear justification for the items. 

Digital Distribution icon (laptop outline with a checkmark)

Housing operators may offer residents fully subsidized new or used internet-connected devices that can be distributed to tenants required to effectively utilize broadband access facilitated under the Retrofit Program grant for education, workforce development or telehealth. 

Example of Device Distribution:

  • New or refurbished internet-connected devices that will facilitate broadband adoption and increase participation in telehealth, education, or workforce development activities.

In addition to distributing devices, operators should demonstrate a clear process for device distribution and host an event for residents to obtain devices. 

Operators should create a budget that includes the cost per device and number of anticipated devices by type to be distributed. The operator should also include a procedure or process for tracking equipment purchases and ensuring the equipment is in operation.

Application requirements: Within the program narrative applicants should include a scope of work specifying a clear process for tracking equipment distributions, a clear process for onboarding and familiarizing residents with equipment once it has been distributed, and, at minimum, a process for supporting WiFi access. 

Utilization of Funds

  • Translation expenses
  • Direct labor (e.g. staff time associated with implementing one or more of the eligible activities)
  • Outreach and engagement related to broadband adoption
  • Data analysis
  • Program marketing and development of materials
  • Procurement assistance
  • Technical assistance
  • Training and or curriculum for digital literacy or navigation/access activities
  • Internet connected devices and peripherals
  • Professional development and capacity building
  • Travel expenses
  • Indirect costs associated with the grant
  • Internal space design/architecture / construction
  • Network architecture / equipment installation as needed (wireless access points, wiring/cabling, etc.)
  • Networking equipment and configuration
  • One-time software licenses and installation fees
  • Furniture (chairs, desks, privacy booths/cubicles, lighting, etc.)
  • Other equipment that would facilitate broadband adoption for healthcare, workforce development or education.
  • Logistical expenses related to device storage and distribution

Ongoing service costs of internet for residents Ongoing software subscriptions General building improvements that don’t relate to broadband adoption

Payment and Disbursement of Funds

Housing operators will be asked to submit a budget for expected costs at the time of application using the budget template provided by MBI. Budgets will have costs designated as either capital (equipment, devices, construction materials and associated installation/setup costs) services (contracted programmatic activities like trainings and classes), or general administration.

Awardees are eligible for reimbursement on a monthly basis. MassTech will withhold 10% of the total award for each awarded development until the final deliverable is produced. 

For capital expenses incurred (equipment, construction services, etc.) the awardee must produce a purchase order detailing expenses to be incurred to receive an initial payment. Awardees must submit subsequent invoices or General Ledger documentation as proof of payment as part of the final deliverable.

For non-capital expenses (services, staff time, etc.) the awardee must provide invoices from contractors or General Ledger documentation as proof of payment to receive reimbursement.

Reporting and Deliverables

Housing operators participating in the RANGE program will be required to submit a mid-point report deliverable and a final report upon completion of the RANGE grant program. 

Download Mid-Point Report               Download Final Report

Scoring (Application Evaluation)

MBI will score applications for completeness, impact, feasibility, engagement, effectiveness and monitoring.

View Scoring Rubric

  1. Project Impact (20 points)
  2. Feasibility and Readiness (20 points)
  3. Community Engagement and Partnerships (20 points)
  4. Cost Effectiveness and Budget Justification (20 points)
  5. Monitor Outcomes (10 points)
  6. Federal and State Grant Experience (10 points)

Applicants can earn five bonus points if the development they request funds for is located within a Qualified Census Tract as defined by HUD.

Applicants will also earn an additional five points for each community benefit that the awarded Retrofit Program ISP will not be providing. MBI will review each application for potential overlaps with existing community benefits being provided by Retrofit Program grantees to ensure there is no duplication of benefits.

Applicants may earn a maximum of 100 points across five categories. A minimum score of 50 points is needed to be considered for funding. MBI will review applications against the criteria outlined in the scoring rubric. Refer to scoring rubric for benchmarks.  

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