CPUC Seeks Volunteers for Home Internet Study
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in partnership with the Geographical Information Center (GIC) at the California State University, Chico, and the California State University, Monterey Bay, are seeking volunteers to take part in the first statewide effort to collect quality measurements of local broadband speeds utilizing the new CalSPEED Home Measurement Device.
The CPUC will use data gathered to provide critical information to state policymakers interested in broadband issues, such as universal service and the closing the digital divide. This information can also be utilized to provide money saving information to consumers.
Interested volunteers can sign up by completing a survey, which can be accessed here.
Fish and Game Commission Proposes Public Use Changes to Wildlife Areas, Public Lands, and Ecological Reserves
The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) is a Gubernatorially-appointed body with regulatory authority over the state’s public lands and wildlife conservation. In January, the Commission released a regulatory proposal to make public use changes to California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s lands, including designating recently acquired lands and removing properties the Department no longer possesses or manages.
The proposal includes designating one property as a wildlife area, seven properties as ecological reserves, and making other site-specific changes that generally impact public access and/or public safety on these managed lands in various RCRC member counties, including Inyo, Mono, San Luis Obispo, Napa and Sonoma counties.
The Commission held one public hearing on this proposal in February, and will hold another at its April 16th hearing at 8am in Sacramento to accept comments orally or in writing.
Deadline Extended: Wildfire Resiliency and Recovery Planning Grant Program
In light of the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) are working on a plan to extend the deadline to submit applications for the Wildfire Resiliency and Recovery Planning Grants. Although the new submission deadline has not yet been confirmed, there will be a minimum three-week extension to the original March 18th deadline. Once a revised submission deadline has been established, all applicants who have started applications on the Grants Review and Tracking System application platform will receive a notification from OPR/SGC.
Economic Development Resources for Communities and Businesses Impacted by the Coronavirus
The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) has assembled information on programs, resources, response techniques, and tips that may assist business retention efforts during this time. To visit a page on the CALED website devoted exclusively to resources for communities and businesses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19), click here. The page will be continually evolving as new resources become available.
Support for Infectious Disease Response
In an effort to help you manage services in your communities during these uncertain times, please see the Quick Guide to CDBG Eligible Activities to Support Infectious Disease Response here.
Small Business Administration Coronavirus Disaster Loan Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now accepting applications for low-interest federal disaster loans for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated California counties and other states to help alleviate economic injury caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). At the time of this writing, all fifty-eight (58) California counties are designated as eligible. To apply, please visit SBA’s Disaster Loan Assistance portal here.