As part of the $2 billion
Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program, the
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently approved
the first round of awards for broadband infrastructure projects.
The program seeks to improve the ability of underserved and
unserved populations across California to access internet service
as part of the state’s Broadband For All
initiative. The approved awards signal the beginning of a
process that will continue through the summer and fall months.
After the initial round of applications closed in September 2023,
totaling more than $4.6 billion, the CPUC collected and evaluated
484 grant applications from all 58 counties. The approval marks
the beginning of a process to allocate last-mile broadband grants
to projects across all state regions, benefiting various
entities, such as local governments, tribes, and special
districts.
Draft Resolutions outlining award proposals will be released for
public comment during the summer and early fall. These proposals
will be reviewed and must be approved by voters at a
public CPUC
Voting Meeting.
