Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash.

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Quite a few Humboldt County residents with sub-par internet access will soon be net surfin’ and content streamin’ at broadband speeds thanks to a new wave of state grant money slated for final approval next month.

Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission recommended awarding Humboldt County more than $35.3 to complete several broadband infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and bridging our region’s digital divide. Plus, there’s another $14,111,494 in recommended grants from the CPUC that would fund multi-county projects that include Humboldt.

The grants are part of the Last Mile Federal Funding Account initiative, which aims to facilitate the construction of last-mile broadband infrastructure projects to connect unserved Californians.

The Humboldt County projects include:

  • The Karuk Tribe Fiber-To-The-Home Project, recommended to receive up to $27,445,463 to serve an estimated 767 currently unserved people in and around Orleans.
  • The Vero Fiber Networks Arcata Bay Project (which we’ve written about before), receiving up to $4,396,29. This project will eventually serve residents along the 299 corridor, but in the short term this grant award would benefit 244 unserved locations in Indianola, Fairhaven and Manila.​
  • A trio of AT&T projects, with a suggested award of $3,462,021 to serve unserved communities including Myers Flat, Miranda, Phillipsville, Weott and Kneeland.

These projects aim to provide high-speed internet speeds ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 megabits per second, with service prioritized for people living in disadvantaged communities that fit the criteria of the state’s Environmental and Social Justice (ESJ) Action Plan. 

The projects also commit to providing low-cost plans, maintaining prices for years, and participating in programs like Lifeline to ensure affordability and accessibility for residents. 

By investing in last-mile delivery and middle-mile connections, these projects seek to improve internet access, enhance connectivity, and promote economic development within Humboldt County.​

“Many awardees are creating new networks, connecting the next generation to education, improving access to healthcare, and empowering rural communities for economic development and emergency connectivity,” the CPUC said in a press release.

These projects will take about a year and a half to develop, according to state estimates. For more details, click the link below.

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DOCUMENT: CPUC Resolution for Last-Mile Projects

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CORRECTION: This post has been corrected to reflect that the grant recommendations have not been finalized. CPUC Public Information Officer Taseen Shamim says via email that the awards “aren’t officially approved yet but they will be voted on during the CPUC voting meeting on September 26.” The Outpost regrets the error.