Those interested in expanding broadband in California may be eligible for state funding from three Last Mile grant programs with application windows opening July 1, according to the California Department of Technology’s (CDT) Broadband Update.
A fourth program will begin accepting applications on October 1. All four programs detailed below are funded through the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF):
- The Tribal Technical Assistance Account: Provides grants to California Tribes and Tribal Consortia to improve voice and broadband communications. Grants are available for — but not limited to — market studies, feasibility studies, business plans, grant writing, consultant services, TTA-specific tribal staff hours, and administrative costs.
- The Broadband Adoption Account: Provides grants that will increase publicly available or after-school broadband access and digital inclusion, such as digital literacy training programs and public education for communities with limited broadband adoption.
- The Broadband Public Housing Account: Provides grants and loans to low-income communities, including but not limited to publicly supported housing developments, mobile home parks with low-income residents, and other housing developments. Funding can be used to finance projects that connect broadband networks offering free broadband service that meets or exceeds state standards.
- The Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account: Subsidizes the cost of last-mile and middle-mile infrastructure to expand California’s broadband network. This is the program that will begin accepting applications on October 1.
More California updates
The CDT Broadband Update also included information on:
- The Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund: Supports the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) grant projects with local broadband infrastructure financing. The CPUC is considering the status of its Direct Loan Option, particularly as it pertains to Draft Resolution T-17925, which includes a streamlined process for bridge funding.
- Last Mile Federal Funding Account: The state has invested $1.23 billion in these grants, helping fund 122 broadband infrastructure projects in all 58 counties and bringing affordable broadband access directly to rural, Tribal, and low-income communities statewide.
- Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD): The state is awaiting updates from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) about the status of their BEAD Final Proposal for awards to applicants selected through the BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process.
Earlier this year, the CPUC approved $21 million in funding from its Last Mile Federal Funding Account (FFA) for projects in Contra Costa, Inyo, and Monterey counties.
