California PUC Awards $172 Million in Grants for Broadband Projects Across California

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved $172 million in the sixth round of grants for last mile broadband projects as part of the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program, which expands broadband internet access for underserved and unserved communities across California. This continues a rolling process of awards and recommendations, highlighting the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through Broadband For All. Separately, the CPUC approved Volume Two of the Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, refining the rules for distributing grants to support broadband expansion across California. Last Mile Federal Funding Account grants awarded include:

• $172 million for 14 Last Mile Federal Funding Account broadband infrastructure grant projects in Del Norte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Santa Clara, and Siskiyou counties.
• Grants to three Tribal entities in Del Norte and Humboldt counties—the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, Karuk Tribe, and Yurok Telecommunications Corporation.