Broadband Engagement

For decades, the Collective has served as manager of the Northeastern and Upstate California Connect Broadband consortia, facilitating efforts to bridge the digital divide in rural Northern California.

A program of the California Public Utilities Commission, the Consortia are focused on improving broadband availability and performance within the region through:

• information sharing,
• assessment of current broadband performance,
• incorporation of broadband into local government planning and procedures,
• developing partnerships and collaborating to generate broadband infrastructure proposals,
• generating strategic broadband plans
• recommending policies for broadband expansion.

Tribal Engagement Equity and Access CPUC Program

Earlier this year, The Collective was awarded a CPUC Equity and Access grant focused around North State tribal engagement in broadband. This grant will fund broadband education and information sharing with regional tribes and will support two broadband-specific events. Specific activities under the grant include:

• developing formal relationships with each tribe in the North State region;
• outreach, communication and visits to tribal communities;
• event coordination and capacity building.

For additional information, contact Hayley Stone at hmstone@csuchico.edu.