Santa Cruz County to start calling residents for survey on broadband affordability and speed

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) UPDATE APRIL 6, 2023 11:51 a.m.- The County of Santa Cruz says beginning April 10, they will be calling residents for a phone survey.

This survey aims to get feedback about resident experiences with the availability, cost, and speed of internet access locally. So if you see a call from the County, pick up and have your voice heard.

This is a part of the County of Santa Cruz's Broadband Master Plan to bring affordable high-speed internet across the county.

Santa Cruz County expands broadband program to 1,200 households

UPDATE April 26, 4:51 p.m.-- The County of Santa Cruz said that affordable high-speed internet has expanded to 1,200 households.

"Through a $500,000 Broadband Grant program approved by the Board of Supervisors, seven sites have been completed or are under construction, assuring that affordable highspeed Internet service is expanded to economically disadvantaged neighborhoods near six school sites in the Pajaro Valley Unified and Live Oak Unified school districts, as well as farmworker families at the Jardines Del Valle Farmworker Family Housing Community," said Santa Cruz County in a statement.

The following schools will also receive broadband expansion:

• Calabasas Elementary
• Alianza Charter
• Lakeview Middle
• Green Acres School
• Boys and Girls Club at Shoreline Middle School
• Live Oak Elementary

High-speed wireless internet services will be provided for free to the 21 homes in Jadines Del Valle for free, with no term limit.

Families with students can ask about Equal Access Santa Cruz County availability
through their local school district.

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ORIGINAL STORY

The County of Santa Cruz has partnered with Cruzio Internet to help expand broadband access to underserved and unserved areas in the county.

The project is being funded through a $500,000 County grant from the American Rescue Plan Act and Cruzio Internet will match 150% of the funds.

The funds will be used to expand the Equal Acess Santa Cruz program that gives internet access to affordable housing developments and lower-income neighborhoods in the county.

The goal of this all is to bridge the digital divide and bring low- and no-cost high-speed internet access to 4,000 homes in Santa Cruz County.

“Reliable, affordable internet access is a basic right," Supervisor Zach Friend said. "We are committed to addressing digital inequality in our community and ensuring that all households have the internet access they need for work, school, healthcare, and more."

The concern is also for local students who need better internet access to keep up with school work.