GFA Recent News

Following the release last week of their final rule for use of ARPA’s local recovery funds, the U.S. Department of the Treasury held a webinar on multiple dates to provide an overview of the rule’s provisions. The hour-long webinar recording is now available online  on YouTube, along with the PDF of the slide presentation.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will host broadband grant program public virtual listening sessions in connection with the five new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program; the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program; and the Digital Equity Act Programs, which include the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. These publi

November 18, 2021

Demonstrating the urgency and collaboration appropriate to the task, the state has announced the first 18 sections for the statewide open-access middle-mile network just a few short months after the network was authorized by SB 156.

Middle-mile infrastructure will not provide broadband service directly to consumers, but it will make it faster and cheaper for all internet service providers to provide last-mile service to both unserved and underserved households, as well as those who currently live in a broadband monopoly.

November 4, 2021

Nearly two months after California voters rejected an attempt to recall Governor Gavin Newsom that cost counties and the state about $276 million to conduct, state officials continue to examine California’s recall system for potential reform. Discussions for potential reforms include raising the signature threshold to qualify a recall election, altering the election process for successor candidates, and creating a malfeasance standard for justifying a recall election.

October 28, 2021

County officials and personnel are invited to attend a two-day conference on private 4G/5G networks, an alternative to traditional Wi-Fi networks that might help local agencies implement connected traffic signals, provide public services, and help close the digital divide. The event, “Enterprise 5G Live,” includes educational workshops, networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall where attendees can connect and learn about private wireless networks.

October 14, 2021

California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), announced that it is now accepting applications from California County governments to administer the California Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program (MBCRG). Counties are encouraged to apply for funding to provide $2,500 grants to eligible microbusinesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and the associated health and safety restrictions.

September 30, 2021

September 23, 2021