Combined with other administration initiatives, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has brought affordable internet to 17 million American households.
SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, the US Treasury Department announced the approval of $540.2 million for high-speed Internet projects in California under the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) of the US Rescue Plan, which is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda – the largest. A single infusion of broadband funds in the state under the CPF. The state will use its funding to connect about 127,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed Internet. To recognize this milestone, White House U.S. Recovery Plan Coordinator Gene Sperling and U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar (CA-33) hosted an event in the Orchid Drive neighborhood of San Bernardino, CA, made up of single- and multi-family homes that have recently benefited. . – Miles broadband investment.
A key priority of the CPF program is to provide funding for broadband infrastructure, furthering President Biden’s goal of affordable, high-speed Internet for everyone in America. Already, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has brought affordable high-speed Internet to 17 million American households through the CPF, funded by the American Rescue Plan, and through the Affordable Connectivity Program, funded by the bipartisan Infrastructure Act, saving each household at least $30. month and supporting the strongest and fastest economic recovery in history.
“The pandemic has disrupted life as we know it and exposed stark disparities in access to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet in communities across the country, including rural, indigenous and other underrepresented communities,” said Treasury Undersecretary Wally Ademo. “This funding is a key part of the Biden-Harris administration’s historic investment to increase access to high-speed Internet for millions of Americans and provide more opportunities to fully participate and compete in the 21st century economy.”
“This major commitment reflects President Biden’s strong belief that universal, affordable high-speed Internet is an absolute necessity for every school, home, small business and community — urban or rural — today for educational and economic opportunity,” said Gene Sperling, rescue plan coordinator.
“Access to high-speed Internet is a necessity, not a luxury,” Rep. Pete Aguilar said. “I’m proud of the funding we’ve secured in Congress to ensure all California families can access reliable internet. I want to thank President Biden for highlighting this important investment in the Inland Empire. It’s going to help students reach their full potential, businesses better serve our communities To serve and help people connect with each other.”
“At a time when we are increasingly dependent on Internet-based devices and services, it is critical that we close our digital divide by ensuring that every Californian, in every corner of our state, has access to affordable, high-speed Internet service,” he said. Governor Newsom. “Today’s significant investment by the Biden administration supports our overall, multi-year $6.5 billion investment to expand broadband coverage across the state. This funding will help grow our economy, strengthen education and strengthen the health and well-being of Californians overall.”
“As the COVID pandemic has made clear, internet access is essential for our communities to thrive,” said US Senator Alex Padilla. “This historic investment will continue the efforts of the Biden administration and Senate Democrats to connect California families not only to reliable broadband, but to the opportunities and resources that come with it.”
The CPF provides $10 billion to states, territories, independently affiliated states, and tribal governments to fund critical capital projects that enable work, education, and health monitoring in response to public health emergencies. In addition to the $10 billion provided by the CPF, many governments are using a portion of their State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) to meet the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of connecting every American family to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet. Together, these U.S. Rescue Plan programs and bipartisan infrastructure legislation are working hand-in-hand with President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to close the digital divide — bringing high-speed internet to those who don’t have access and lowering costs for those who can’t afford it.
California has been approved to receive $540.2 million for high-speed Internet infrastructure. California’s Last Mile Broadband Expansion Grant Program is a new competitive grant program designed to provide Internet access to areas of the state that currently lack access to reliable broadband at speeds of 25/3 Mbps. The plan approved by the Treasury Department today represents 100% of the state’s total appropriation under the Capital Projects Funding Program.
According to Treasury Department guidance, each state plans to require service providers to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new Affordable Connections Program (ACP). The Affordable Connectivity Program, funded by President Biden’s bipartisan Infrastructure Act, helps ensure households can afford high-speed Internet by providing discounts of up to $30 per month (or up to $75 per eligible household on tribal lands). Experts estimate that about 40% of American households qualify for the program.
To further lower costs, President Biden and Vice President Harris announced last year that the administration had secured commitments from 20 major Internet service providers — covering more than 80% of the U.S. population — to provide high-speed, reliable Internet to all ACP-eligible households. Plans for over $30 per month. As a result of this agreement and the ACP, eligible families can obtain Internet access at no cost and can check their eligibility and sign up at GetInternet.gov.
The Treasury Department started announcing the state awards in June last year. So far, 39 states have been approved to invest nearly $5.9 billion in capital project funds in affordable, reliable high-speed Internet, which those states estimate will reach more than 1.75 million locations. The Treasury Department will continue to approve state and tribal plans on a rolling basis.
Click here to view the Capital Project Fund Award Fact Sheet for California.
###