A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC's affiliated entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.
CPUC Federal Fund Account Last Mile Program Award Announcements Begin
On Friday, June 7, 2024, the first rolling announcements (occurring roughly every other week) of funding recommendations for the FFA Last Mile awards were released. As of August 20, 2024, five rounds of staff recommendations have been released, totaling $435 million in recommended projects across 22 counties – including 15 GSCA member counties. Golden State Connect Authority has received recommendations for four projects thus far – Imperial, Alpine, and Mono counties, and the Town of Mammoth Lakes in Mono County – and has been awarded the Imperial County project by the Commission.
Each round of project announcements will come in the form of staff recommendations that have been issued for public comment as Draft Resolutions. The Public Utilities Commission will act upon the Draft Resolutions at scheduled voting meetings over the coming months.
An application not recommended for an award in one Resolution with other awards in the same county may be recommended in a later Resolution. Award recommendations will continue to be announced 30 days before each Public Utilities Commission voting meeting, during which review and action on that award will occur.
Upcoming CPUC Voting Meetings in 2024
- September 12, 2024
- September 26, 2024
- October 17, 2024
- November 7, 2024
- December 5, 2024
- December 19, 2024
CPUC Loan Loss Reserve Program Survives the Budget Process
The LLR program, originally funded with $750 million, was established under Senate Bill 156 and is intended to provide securitization for debt instruments (bonds, loans) assumed by local governments, tribes, and non-profit organizations to deploy broadband infrastructure.
The Governor’s proposed budget, released on May 14, 2024, eliminated funding for the LLR Program. However, due to the diligent work of RCRC staff and Board members, the Loan Loss Reserve “Pilot” Program, funded at $50 million, was included in the budget the Governor signed in late June 2024. GSCA is now working with CPUC LLR program staff to leverage the reduced amount to maximize its benefits.