CPUC Delivers $7 Million Boost for High-Speed Internet Projects in Rural Communities

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) delivered a $7 million boost for high-speed internet projects in rural communities across the state today. The newest multi-million-dollar grant award is a continuation of the CPUC’s work to support California’s Broadband For All initiative.

Details of today’s actions are as follows:

Equal Access Summits to the Sea Project

• Grant Amount: Up to $5.65 million
• Funding Source: The California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account
• Impact: This initiative enables Cruzio Media, Inc. to construct a middle-mile and last-mile broadband network that will bring high speed internet service to unserved households in Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties.

“The Summits to the Sea project serves rural, agricultural, and low-income communities flanked by mountainous areas,” said James Hackett, Chief Operating Officer of Cruzio Media. “Not far to the east are the affluent, tech-saturated cities of Silicon Valley. It is difficult to imagine a greater technical contrast—a greater digital divide. Fiber-optic broadband infrastructure is especially challenging throughout. The inability of residents to participate in the dominant industry of the area causes economic hardship and social division. The Summits to the Sea project addresses this serious situation.”

ConnectAnza Phase 3 Project

• Grant Amount: $688,431
• Funding Source: CASF Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account
• Impact: Anza Electric Cooperative, Inc. will place 3.74 linear miles of fiber on existing poles to construct a fiber-to-the-home project to help bring broadband access to San Jacinto Mountain communities. Through approval of a deviation from CPUC rules governing the placement of overhead facilities within designated State Scenic Highways, CPUC staff will now release the funds for the project that were allocated on Nov. 30, 2023.

“This grant will allow for the construction of a fiber optic network to serve 28 CASF Priority Eligible homes and businesses in a remote and rural area that has been plagued in the past by wildfires and flooding,” said Shawn Trento, Telecommunications Manager at Anza. “Access to fast and reliable internet access will increase residents’ access to employment, education, and entertainment resources as well as increasing public safety in the area. We appreciate the partnership of the CPUC, and the opportunities provided by the CASF program to expand internet access for all Californians.”

Mobile Home Park 1 Project

• Grant Amount: Up to $889,083
• Funding Source: CASF Infrastructure Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account
• Impact: The CPUC’s actions enable Kwikbit Internet, Inc. to deploy a fixed wireless network to bring high-speed internet service to 197 unserved households located within four Manufactured Home Parks in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.

“I am pleased to support these CASF grants that will provide over $7 million to build-out broadband internet service to low-income households and businesses in unserved and underserved parts of our State. These awards will help address both the availability and affordability challenges to accessing broadband by supporting infrastructure grants that will bring essential broadband services to some of California’s most vulnerable customers,” said Commissioner Darcie L. Houck.

Since its inception in 2008, the CASF Infrastructure Grant Account has awarded more than $305 million in grants, facilitating the expansion of broadband infrastructure to previously unserved areas throughout the state. This initiative is a vital component of the comprehensive suite of CPUC-administered programs focused on broadband deployment, assistance, affordability, and adoption.

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About the California Public Utilities Commission

The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov for more information.

Press Release