Local Agency Technical Assistance

Background

The Local Agency Technical Assistance grants support tribes and local agencies in their efforts to expand broadband service to unserved and underserved Californians. Established by the CPUC according to Senate Bill 156, the program has a $50 million budget for grants including a $5 million set-aside for tribes. Technical assistance funding is for planning work that will facilitate high-speed broadband infrastructure projects. A program overview can be found here.

Guidelines & Eligibility

Entities interested in applying should familiarize themselves with the Local Agency Technical Assistance guidelines set forth in CPUC Decision 22-02-026 and Attachment 1. Grant recipients are reimbursed for eligible pre-construction expenses to provide high-speed connections to unserved and underserved communities. Examples of reimbursable expenses:

• Consultant or staff time for conducting work including but not limited to needs assessments, environmental and engineering studies, network design, and broadband strategic plans.
• Costs incurred in forming a joint powers authority for the purpose of bringing broadband to areas in need of sufficient Internet connections.

The following entities are eligible to apply for technical assistance grants:

• Local government agencies in California are authorized by law to provide broadband service.
• California tribes with or without federal recognition. Tribes may also continue to apply to the separate broadband Tribal Technical Assistance program.

Related News

• Oct. 10, 2022: CPUC Awards Grants to Local Governments To Support Closing the Digital Divide
• Oct. 21, 2022:  CPUC Awards Second Round of Grants to Local Governments to Help Close the Digital Divide
• Dec. 19, 2022: CPUC Awards Third Round of Grants to Local Governments To Help Close the Digital Divide
• Jan. 12, 2023: CPUC Approves Advanced Services and Technical Assistance Funding for Regional and Local Planning
• Apr. 27, 2023: CPUC Advances Broadband Access and Equity in State
• June 8, 2023: CPUC Advances Broadband Affordability and Access in California
• June 29, 2023: CPUC Provides Grant Funding To Advance Broadband in State
• Jan. 25, 2024: CPUC Invests More Than $6 Million to Close the Digital Divide in Rural and Tribal Communities
• A table summarizing technical assistance applications received is updated monthly on the right side of this page. 

Resources

• Local Agency Technical Assistance Decision and Guidelines (D. 22-02-026)           
• Broadband Implementation in California – Learn about last-mile project funding and other new investment programs.
• California Advanced Services Fund – Broadband grants for infrastructure, adoption, public housing, tribal technical assistance, and more.
• CPUC Broadband Mapping Program and California Interactive Broadband Map -- Look up broadband services available in your area.
• Strategies for Crafting Effective Broadband Plans by the Pew Charitable Trust.
• Publications from the National Telecommunications and Information Association. 
• USC Annenberg Digital Divide Map

Important Information

• Grantee Administrative Manual (how to apply)
• Grant Application (fillable spreadsheet)
• Notarized Affidavit (include with application)
• Grantee Consent Form (required post-award)
• California Taxpayer ID Form (required post-award)
• Grantee Reporting Requirements  ^{UPDATED 12/20/22}
  • Monthly Reporting: Instructions | Template
  • Quarterly Reporting: Instructions | Template
  • Completion Report: Template
• Pre-Recorded Overview:  Recording | Presentation
• Grant Application Demo:  Recording | Presentation
• Live Webinar: Recording | Presentation ^{NEW 8/3/22}
• Frequently Asked Questions ^10/27/22 
• Applications Received: Excel |pdf   ^{AS OF 2/12/24}
  • Includes application summaries and awards.
• County Dashboard:  map ^BETA

Contact & Submissions

Please submit Technical Assistance applications, required supplemental materials, and questions via email to Broadband.TechAssist@cpuc.ca.gov.