In the case of any program under this chapter or administered by the Secretary, acting through the rural development mission area, as determined by the Secretary (referred to in this section as a “covered program”), the Secretary shall give priority to an application for a project that, as determined and approved by the Secretary—

(1) meets the applicable eligibility requirements of this chapter or the other applicable authorizing law;

(2) will be carried out in a rural area; and

(3) supports the implementation of a strategic community investment plan described in subsection (d) on a multisectoral and multijurisdictional basis, to include considerations for improving and expanding broadband services as needed.

Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall reserve not more than 15 percent of the funds made available for a fiscal year for covered programs for projects that support the implementation of a strategic community investment plan described in subsection (d) on a multisectoral and multijurisdictional basis.

(1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall reserve not more than 15 percent of the funds made available for a fiscal year for covered programs for projects that support the implementation of a strategic community investment plan described in subsection (d) on a multisectoral and multijurisdictional basis.

(2) Period Any funds reserved under paragraph (1) shall only be reserved for the 1-year period beginning on the date on which the funds were first made available, as determined by the Secretary.

Any applicant who submitted an application under paragraph (2), (14), or (24) of section 1926(a) of this title, or section 1926a or 1932(b) of this title, that was approved by the Secretary before the date of enactment of this section 1 shall be eligible for the funds reserved under subsection (b)—

(1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), any applicant who submitted an application under a covered program that was approved before the date of enactment of this section [1] may amend the application to qualify for the funds reserved under subsection (b).

Any applicant who submitted an application under paragraph (2), (14), or (24) of section 1926(a) of this title, or section 1926a or 1932(b) of this title, that was approved by the Secretary before the date of enactment of this section 1 shall be eligible for the funds reserved under subsection (b)—

(A) on the same basis as an application submitted under this section; and

(B) until September 30, 2019.

A strategic community investment plan described in paragraph (1) shall include—

(1) In general The Secretary shall provide assistance to rural communities in developing strategic community investment plans.

A strategic community investment plan described in paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) a variety of activities designed to facilitate the vision of a rural community for the future, including considerations for improving and expanding broadband services as needed;

(B) participation by multiple stakeholders, including local and regional partners;

(C) leverage of applicable regional resources;

(D) investment from strategic partners, such as— (i) private organizations; (ii) cooperatives; (iii) other government entities; (iv) Indian Tribes; and (v) philanthropic organizations;

(E) clear objectives with the ability to establish measurable performance metrics;

(F) action steps for implementation; and

(G) any other elements necessary to ensure that the plan results in a comprehensive and strategic approach to rural economic development, as determined by the Secretary.

(3) Coordination The Secretary shall coordinate with Indian Tribes and local, State, regional, and Federal partners to develop strategic community investment plans under this subsection.

(4) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain available until expended.

(Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 379H, as added Pub. L. 113–79, title VI, § 6025, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 848; amended Pub. L. 115–334, title VI, § 6401, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4756.)