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Receive an update on Broadband and Digital Equity initiatives, including projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Information Technology recommends the Board of Supervisors receive an update on Broadband and Digital Equity initiatives, including projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
SUMMARY:
On May 3, 2022, the Board approved $488,000 for a broadband and digital equity needs assessment study to examine areas where ARPA investments could be made. Subsequently, based on this report, the Board approved two American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects totaling $3,994,941 for Broadband and Digital Equity.
The ARPA Broadband project dedicated $2,200,000 to broadband infrastructure partnerships in unincorporated areas. In December 2022, the County also received a $500,000 grant from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for a Local Area Technical Assistance (LATA) grant which was used to fund a detailed study on where to allocate ARPA funds for broadband infrastructure. Funds were also used to do a high-level design for a possible future municipal area fiber network.
The ARPA Digital Equity project dedicated $1,794,941 to the Solano Connected digital equity initiative, including $898,361 for program management and Digital Navigators, $150,000 for a public awareness campaign, $250,000 for pilot seed grants to local nonprofits, and $496,580 to expand Solano County Library hotspot and device lending.
This item provides an update on those two projects as well as other projects happening within the county relating to broadband and digital equity.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no additional impact to the County General Fund. Programs are supported through previously appropriated ARPA allocations, external CPUC LATA grants, and private capital investments.
DISCUSSION:
Broadband Infrastructure:
Since the Board’s FY2022/23 ARPA action, the County launched three ARPA-funded partnerships with local internet service providers (ISPs) to reach unincorporated areas of the county. While all three projects remain active, two ISPs, Comcast and Cal.net, have progressed through design and permitting and are undergoing deploying their new networks. The third, Valley Internet, is working through the county Planning Department permit approval process. These ARPA partnerships follow the Board’s direction to leverage County seed funds with provider capital and external grants where available.
In parallel, there are several other projects moving forward to increase broadband access in Solano County. Within the cities, in 2024 the City of Vallejo secured approximately $3.806 million from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Federal Funding Account (FFA), while approximately $13.201 million of Solano’s allocation remains unawarded. The City of Vacaville selected Intrepid Fiber Networks to build and operate a citywide fiber system using private capital at no cost to Vacaville.
In addition, California’s Federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) allocation is approximately $1.86 billion for infrastructure, with CPUC in the subgrantee selection and the state’s final proposal is due October 2, 2025. Comcast reports filing major BEAD applications for unincorporated Solano as part of the state application.
Separately, Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA), the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC)-affiliated broadband Joint Powers Agreement (JPA), assisted the County in exploring opportunities to connect local government centers to improve broadband interconnectivity.
Digital Equity:
ARPA funding has been used to support digital equity services from two primary contractors, Tech Exchange of Oakland and DigtialLIFT (formerly Community Tech Network). The county also allocated $496,580 to support the county library wi-fi hotspot lending program. Through an RFP process the county also awarded digital equity funding to Meals on Wheels, Match2Hire, and Independent Living Resources of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Digital Equity outcomes include over 1,000 devices distributed to residents in need coupled with digital literacy training.
In September 2024, the County submitted a $7.8 million BEAD Digital Equity application. However, the federal program was canceled, and the State’s BEAD Digital Equity program was also cancelled before the County could apply.
Local partners seed funded through ARPA have sustained momentum through CPUC California Advance Service Fund (CASF) awards. Community Tech Network received $104,174 for Solano County Digital Literacy in December 2024. Tech Exchange received two awards of $104,395 each for English and Spanish programs in December 2024. Solano Empower Tech has indicated a 2025 CASF award that is not yet posted in CPUC records. In addition, the City of Vacaville received $111,255 for senior digital literacy classes in December 2024.
The County continues to use ARPA as seed funding and supports non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and cities to apply directly to CASF. This approach expands services without ongoing County General Fund support.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may provide additional direction on broadband infrastructure priorities or request a revised strategy in light of the loss of federal and state BEAD Digital Equity funding.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Department of Information Technology coordinates with the County Administrator’s Office, Health and Social Services, Library, Golden State Connect Authority, cities within the County, and nonprofit digital equity partners to implement initiatives.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION