San Benito and Santa Cruz counties awarded millions for internet expansion

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission awarded San Benito County $10.4 million for internet access expansion, as well as $4.3 million to Santa Cruz County.

"This funding is part of the $2 Billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program, which aims to enhance internet connectivity in underserved and unserved communities across California," wrote the Public Utilities Commission in a press release Monday.

Hankins Information Technology (HIT) in San Benito County has an estimated unserved population of 4,572 with an estimated potential benefitting population of 6,560, according to the Public Utilities Commission draft explaining the funding.

Santa Cruz County's Surfnet has an estimated unserved population of 1,225 with an estimated potential benefitting population of 1,423, according to the Public Utilities Commission.

"The [HIT] proposed project will cost an estimated $11,114,635, of which the Federal Funding Account will fund approximately 94% of costs," wrote the project draft.

The three Santa Cruz Surfnet locations (Hutchinson, Mnt Bache and Radonich) will have 100% of their costs covered, according to the document.

To learn more about this expanded internet access, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.