Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, $62 billion was allocated for broadband investment across the United States. In order to receive individual allocations, each state must implement a comprehensive engagement effort that seeks input from residents and incorporates that input into a State Plan. The more input, feedback, and involvement from the residents of the state, the more likely each state is to maximize the dollars they receive from the federal government that will lead to deploying broadband infrastructure and establishing digital equity. This could mean investment (or not) in your communities.
The California Department of Technology is developing the state’s digital equity portion of the state plan that will determine how much of the $62 billion will be allocated to California. Part of their community engagement effort in development of the state plan involves distribution and participation in a brief (10 minutes), anonymous survey by at least 250 residents from each rural county. In the case of Siskiyou County, 3 surveys have been received!
Do your part to make sure broadband internet is available to all!