Resilient Infrastructure​

Summary of Objective Implementation Status

In June 2021, the Economic Development Department received direction from the Board of Supervisors to evaluate governance options to expand broadband access in the County of Sonoma. Staff is currently evaluating programs and governance models that could address adoption and infrastructure challenges for the Board’s consideration. Staff have applied for two grants, and recently received notice of intent to award:

A ~$500,000 Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) grant (California Public Utilities Commission) to fund the completion of the County’s high-level design and low-level design for broadband infrastructure for the unserved and underserved unincorporated areas, as well as funding the development of low-level, shovel-ready network designs for priority areas in and around those same areas.A California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Consortia Grant for $500,000 per county per year for two years. The consortium region includes Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Marin counties, for a total of $4 million in CASF funding. This grant would fund the development of community programs and environmental permitting.

On December 14, 2021, staff received three million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to enhance broadband availability and adoption.

Key Milestone Update

Staff received three million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for initial broadband expansion efforts and recently received notices of intent to award for two external grant applications. Staff are analyzing options for broadband infrastructure expansion while the state compiles data identifying unserved and underserved areas that need broadband fiber and develops funding programs for infrastructure.

Coordination and Partnership Update

Staff met with stakeholders including community groups, regional partners, and internet service providers throughout the year to communicate plans and surface opportunities for collaboration. Staff has also connected with city managers and key staff to discuss urban connectivity needs and opportunities for partnership.

Staff is also exploring how to best utilize their membership with Golden State Connect Authority to take advantage of the different funding opportunities and deployment resources available.

Community, Equity, and Climate Update

A key component of the LATA grant program is the application of census data to determine the demographics of each of the respective locations in the final provided designs. Once the high-level design process is complete, demographic census data will be overlayed to help determine select priority areas within the County. As part of this process, the County will also determine if data from the Portrait of Sonoma can be used to provide additional demographic information.

Funding Narrative

In December the Board of Supervisors accepted a $500,000 Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) grant to fund the completion of the County’s high-level design and low-level design for broadband infrastructure for the unserved and underserved unincorporated areas, as well as funding the development of low-level, shovel-ready network designs for priority areas in and around those same areas.

The County worked with the North Coast North Bay Broadband Regional Consortium to apply for and receive a California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Consortia Grant for $500,000 per county per year for two years. The consortium region, which includes Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Marin counties, total is four million. This grant will fund the development of community programs and environmental permitting.

On December 14, 2021, staff received three million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to enhance broadband availability and adoption.