The CETF Digital Equity Regional Leadership Grant supports the Central Coast Broadband Consortium’s efforts to enhance broadband deployment and digital equity across Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties. This project involves creating detailed county-level broadband maps, organizing convenings to communicate findings and best practices, and promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and affordability initiatives to ensure digital inclusion for all residents.

The California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Infrastructure Grant Account has awarded a total of $45 million to three regional ISPs – Cruzio Media, Surfnet Communications, and LCB Communications – with significant support from the Central Coast Broadband Consortium (CCBC) and the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP). These projects will greatly enhance broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved communities across the Central Coast:

• Cruzio Media, Inc. – Equal Access Summits to the Sea (EASC2) Project: Awarded $5.65 million, Cruzio will expand middle-mile broadband infrastructure to 759 locations in rural areas prone to natural disasters. This project will use fixed wireless hardware to provide gigabit broadband via an open-access network, ensuring ISPs can offer faster, more reliable service across the Central Coast.
• Surfnet Communications, Inc. – Three County Fiber Project: Receiving $10.08 million, Surfnet will deploy Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband to 465 locations in Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Clara counties. This project aims to bridge the digital divide, foster economic development, and provide high-speed reliable broadband to economically and socially vulnerable communities.
• LCB Communications LLC – Aromas-San Juan Project: Awarded $29.48 million, LCB communications will deploy a hybrid broadband network combining Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) to 1,101 locations in San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties. This project will address digital divide challenges in remote and rugged terrains by constructing both middle- and last-mile infrastructure.

Builds a 91-mile middle-mile backhaul network from Santa Cruz to Soledad and extend high-speed internet service to 430 sq miles covering Castroville and the CA-156 corridor towards Prunedale, Chualar, Gonzalez, Soledad, and Salinas in the Central Coast.

$49,750,090: Builds 428 miles of middle mile fiber in combo of underground and aerial construction throughout MB tri-county region throughout 3,797 sq miles

• CASF Infrastructure Grant Account
• CASF Broadband Adoption Account
• CASF Infrastructure
• CASF Public Housing Account

• Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program
• Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program

CCBC offers technical assistance and guidance to local governments and ISPs in developing and securing funding for broadband projects. This includes help with grant applications, data analysis, and community engagement to ensure projects meet eligibility criteria and receive the necessary support from project formulation and through completion. Here’s how CCBC can support:

• Data Analysis & GIS Mapping: providing detailed data and mapping services to identify target areas and support project proposals
• Technical Assistance: offering expertise ad guidance on project development, grant applications, and compliance with funding requirements
• Community engagement: facilitating outreach and engagement with local stakeholders, officials, and community members to gather support and ensure project success.

For more information on available funding opportunities and how to apply, complete the form below to contact us.