The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved more than $18.2 million in broadband grants to support broadband infrastructure, regional planning, and digital inclusion programs across the state. Announced yesterday, the funding covers fiber construction in rural Northern California, planning grants reaching 16 counties, and digital literacy efforts in underserved communities.
Nearly $14.7 million went to four fiber-optic projects from Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications under the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account. The awards will bring service to 460 unserved homes across Lassen, Plumas, and Sierra counties.
The projects will deploy fiber infrastructure capable of symmetrical speeds up to 1 Gbps. Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications has agreed to offer low-income service options and to waive installation and connection fees for qualifying customers for five years after each project is completed.
The CPUC said the connections will help residents in rural, fire-prone areas reach telehealth, remote work, online education, and emergency services.
The four California broadband infrastructure grants included:
- Grizzly Road-Chilcoot Project: Up to $4,339,234 to connect 205 unserved locations near Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Portola, and Vinton
- Herlong Flats-East Milford Project: Up to $3,890,942 to connect 72 unserved locations near Herlong and Milford
- Mohawk Meadows Project: Up to $3,378,259 to connect 83 unserved locations in communities including Blairsden, Greenhorn, Johnsville, Keddie, Mabie, and Whitehawk
- Sierraville Project: Up to $3,072,297 to connect 100 unserved locations in and around Sierraville
California also approved $3.4 million in CASF Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia grants for six regional organizations — two of them new to the program — that handle broadband planning, mapping, community outreach, and grant-application support. The funded groups will help advance state and federal initiatives such as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
The consortia grants included:
- Broadband Consortium of the Pacific Coast (serving San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties): $600,000
- East Bay Broadband Consortium (serving Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano counties): $600,000
- E = mc² Silicon Valley Consortium (serving San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties): $400,000
- Gold Country Broadband Consortium (serving El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, and Sierra counties): $600,000
- Inyo-Mono Broadband Consortium (serving Inyo and Mono counties): $600,000
- Los Angeles Digital Equity Action League (LA DEAL) Consortium (serving Los Angeles County): $600,000
Separately, $199,659 went to three Digital Divide Grant Program projects that provide devices, internet and broadband resources, and digital literacy training to more than 330 students, parents, caregivers, and community members in California. The Commission also adopted a streamlined review process meant to speed up future Digital Divide grants while preserving oversight.
The Digital Divide awards included:
- Human-I-T: $99,659 to provide digital literacy support and Chromebook devices to 257 students at the Delano and Lost Hills campuses of Wonderful College Prep Academy in Kern County
- United We Lead Foundation: $50,000 for a Digital Empowerment for Parents and Caregivers project in Fresno County, including digital literacy training, technical support, and laptops for 50 low-income parents and caregivers
- Education and Leadership Foundation: $50,000 to provide computer literacy and cybersecurity training to 25 adult learners in the Central Valley, including laptops, wireless internet hotspots, and digital skills instruction
“Closing the digital divide requires a comprehensive approach that includes building broadband infrastructure, supporting local planning and partnerships, and ensuring people have the devices and skills needed to fully participate in today’s digital world,” said CPUC President John Reynolds in the announcement of the California broadband grants.
The CASF funds broadband construction, regional coordination, and adoption programs throughout California, while the Digital Divide Grant Program became permanent in 2024 with up to $200,000 available each year. The latest round followed earlier CASF activity, including $3.29 million in CASF Broadband Adoption Account grants that California approved for digital literacy and broadband projects this year.
Additional information about California broadband, including links to state funding resources, grants made, BEAD news, state-specific Telecompetitor coverage, and more can be found on Telecompetitor’s Broadband Nation webpage for the state.
