June 29, 2023 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in an ongoing commitment to help the state bridge the digital divide, today approved grants to help advance broadband development and literacy in the state.
The CPUC awarded up to $5.1 million in Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) grant funding for nine projects in the cities of Coachella, Fremont, Hollister, Lathrop, Monrovia, and in the counties of Contra Costa, Fresno, Ventura, and six counties represented by the Southern California Association of Governments. LATA grants support tribes and local agencies in their efforts to expand broadband service to unserved and underserved Californians. Established by the CPUC according to Senate Bill 156, the program has a $50 million budget for grants, including a $5 million set-aside for tribes. Technical assistance funding is for planning work that will facilitate high-speed broadband infrastructure projects.
Including today’s awards, the CPUC has approved 101 LATA grants for local government agencies in 56 counties of the state, totaling $47.6 million.
The proposal voted on is available at docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M512/K019/512019024.PDF.
Separately, the CPUC provided grant funding of $135,625 from the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Adoption Account to Great Beginnings for Black Babies, Inc. for digital literacy project for its Healthy Moms and Babies Program, and grant funding of $27,030 to Nü Communications Alliance for a digital literacy project (upon federal 501(c)(3) status for the organization). These two projects will provide digital literacy training to 400 participants. Grants available through the CASF Broadband Adoption Account increase publicly available or after-school broadband access and digital inclusion, such as grants for digital literacy training programs and public education to communities with limited broadband adoption.
The proposal voted on is available at docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M511/K718/511718018.PDF.
“I am pleased to support these grants for broadband infrastructure funding and digital literacy programs across California. In order to close the digital divide, we have to build broadband infrastructure and make sure everyone is able to use it,” said Commissioner Darcie L. Houck. “These grants are one step in accomplishing these goals in a manner that will maximize the impact of our investment.”
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
Original source can be found here.