The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) granted $91
million within five counties for ten last-mile broadband
infrastructure grant projects and issued the seventh round of
proposed awards for
public comment late last week.
The
$91 million in approved grants will be awarded to applicants
within Marin, Mendocino, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Sutter
Counties, including an award of $11 million directly to the
County of Marin.
The proposed awards total $41 million for nine last-mile federal
broadband infrastructure projects in Madera, Napa, and San Luis
Obispo counties, helping nearly 32,000 Californians in these
counties.
Including these recent awards, the CPUC has awarded $434 million
to date for 45 projects in 22 counties, helping nearly
490,000 Californians. Of the approved awards, twenty-four
were made to public entities and four to tribes. The CPUC reports
that twenty-nine of the projects will benefit largely
disadvantaged or low-income communities.
In addition to the approved grants, the CPUC has proposed awards
of $215 million for 24 projects in eight counties, helping nearly
61,000 Californians. Of the proposed awards, six were made to
public entities and three to tribes. The CPUC reports that nine
of the projects will benefit largely disadvantaged or low-income
communities.
The CPUC may vote on the proposed awards during its public
meeting scheduled for September 26 and October 17.
