$1M boost for affordable Internet in the Central Valley
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A $1 million grant has been awarded to the West Hills Community District for a project aimed at providing affordable broadband services to rural communities and farms in the Central Valley.
The WHCCD officials say the grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will play a pivotal role in establishing the Rural Broadband Initiative Cooperative Network, or Project RuBICON.
The project aims to empower local communities by forming a cooperative that delivers reliable and cost-effective broadband access, bridging the digital divide in the rural Central Valley. This initiative, officials say, draws inspiration from the historic electric co-op movement, envisioning equitable change and progress for rural America in the 21st century.
“This is not just about broadband access – it’s about fostering sustainable farming, building robust local economies, and empowering our rural communities for the digital future,” said Jeff Seed, WHCCD Associate Vice Chancellor of Information Technology. “This project is designed to facilitate cost-effective broadband deployment, with the goal of serving as a model that can be replicated across the country.”
Additionally, officials announced that West Hills is actively seeking a Project Director for RuBICON. For information about the job and the application process, click here.
