Last-Mile Broadband Grants Program

Program Summary:

Notice: Grant applications are currently closed as of March 1, 2021

The focus of the Nevada County Last-Mile Broadband Grant program is to provide resources to new and existing Internet Service Providers (ISP) to invest in building broadband infrastructure that supports economic development, public safety, remote learning, telehealth services, and overall community prosperity in Nevada County. Last-mile infrastructure refers to broadband infrastructure that serves as the final leg connecting the broadband service provider’s network to the end-use customer’s on-premise telecommunications equipment. 

Funds will be targeted to areas that may be unlikely to receive broadband service without grant funding. The grant can provide up to 50% of a project’s infrastructure costs (project planning, permits, construction plans and labor, installation and testing, engineering, etc.). The Sierra Business Council will manage the grant application process on behalf of the County of Nevada. 

Contacts:

Kari Sinoff, Project Manager, Sierra Business Council, ksinoff@sierrabusiness.org

Caleb Dardick, Projects Administrator, County Executive Office, at caleb.dardick@nevadacountyca.gov

Round 2, 2021 Last-Mile Broadband Grant Awards 

In April 2021, the Board of Supervisors awarded four grants totaling $500,000 to: Northern Sierra Broadband, in the amount of $120,000; Nevada County Fiber, Inc., in the amount of $113,000; Exwire, Inc., dba Oasis Broadband, in the amount $62,000; and Spiral Fiber, Inc., in the amount of $205,000.

Read the Press Release, Staff Report, Presentation Slides

View the agreements here: Exwire, Nevada County Fiber, Northern Sierra Broadband, and Spiral Fiber

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