Alameda County
Oakland Awarded $15 Million by CPUC to Expand Broadband Access
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has awarded the City of Oakland $15 million as part of the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program. This significant investment aims to enhance broadband access for underserved and unserved communities across Oakland, bringing the city one step closer to achieving digital equity.
Courtesy of the Mayor’s Press Office
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has awarded the City of Oakland $15 million as part of the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program.
This significant investment aims to enhance broadband access for underserved and unserved communities across Oakland, bringing the city one step closer to achieving digital equity.
Mayor Sheng Thao expressed her gratitude for the grant, emphasizing the collaborative efforts that led to this achievement.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and partners. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the CPUC for their investment in Oakland.
“I also want to recognize Tony Batalla, our chief information officer, for his leadership and Patrick Messac from OaklandUndivided for his relentless commitment to bridging the digital divide,” said Thao. “Last Fall, I hosted a meeting in my office with the CPUC, City, and community partners to discuss our vision for a more connected Oakland. This grant is a significant milestone in making that vision a reality.”
Batalla stated, “I am extremely proud of the team that worked on this. I also want to thank the CPUC for selecting our project and providing this incredible opportunity to invest in underserved communities in Oakland.”
Patrick Messac, director of OaklandUndivided, added, “This represents the culmination of years of collaboration between the City of Oakland, Oakland Unified School District, Oakland Housing Authority, and many trusted community partners. The Oakland Connect project will promote a more connected and more equitable Oakland.”
The CPUC’s Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program is a crucial component of California’s Broadband For All initiative, which aims to provide high-speed internet access to all Californians.
The program’s first round of awards, totaling $88.6 million, will fund projects that build community-based, future-proof, and equity-focused broadband infrastructure across the state.
For more information about the CPUC’s Federal Funding Account Recommendations and Awards, please visit their webpage.
