Information provided by Monterey Bay Economic Partnership. Lea este articulo en español aquí.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved the fifth round of recommended awardees for 10 last-mile broadband projects, awarding a cumulative $91 million worth of grants to projects serving predominantly disadvantaged and low-income communities.
Nearly $15 million of those funds is slated for broadband infrastructure projects designed to connect and empower underserved and unserved rural communities in Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Four separate projects will connect to the open-access Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative and provide the public safety benefits of reliable broadband infrastructure benefitting households located in High Fire Threat Districts while improving digital equity and increasing consumer choice in the broadband market.
- Surfnet Communications’ Hutchinson, Mt Bache, and Radonich Projects in Santa Cruz County: Surfnet Communications, applied for three projects in Santa Cruz County and has been awarded a cumulative $4,348,793 to serve an estimated 410 unserved locations in the communities of Hutchinson and Radonich and along Mt. Bache Road in unincorporated Santa Cruz county. The last-mile fiber project will provide up to one gigabit per second symmetrical service to consumers.
- HIT San Benito Project in San Benito County: Hankins Information Technology has been awarded up to $10,436,024 to serve an estimated 1,200 unserved locations in the communities of Hollister, San Juan, and Aromas. The last-mile fiber project will provide up to 10 gigabits per second symmetrical service to consumers.
Both providers have committed to maintaining prices for at least 10 years and providing low-cost plans that meet standards set by the CPUC.
“Investments in broadband infrastructure make for a more economically competitive, equitable, and resilient region,” said Monterey Bay Economic Partnership President & CEO Tahra Goraya. “As a longtime advocate for improving broadband infrastructure, access and affordability, MBEP remains committed to working with stakeholders and policymakers to address the disparities in broadband access and consistency.”
Established under Senate Bill 156 (2021) and administered by CPUC, the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account grant program encourages the deployment of broadband throughout the state to fuel economic growth and to enable the public to access internet-based safety applications, telehealth services, emergency services, and to allow first responders to communicate with each other and collaborate during emergencies. Since the initial round of applications closed in September 2023, the CPUC has received and reviewed 484 grant applications from every county in the state, totaling more than $4.6 billion in requests. This overwhelming response highlights the urgent need for and the opportunity to expand internet access across California.
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