Board approves ARPA-funded internet subsidies and delegates grant authority for broadband projects

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on March 11 unanimously approved a one‑year internet subsidy program for residents of selected affordable housing sites and delegated authority for federal digital‑access grant applications to the Economic Development Collaborative director.

County staff said the program, funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, pays for 556 one‑year internet subscriptions — each at 100 megabits per second (download) and 20 megabits per second (upload) — to be purchased through an agreement with Comcast. The board also authorized the EDC director to apply for and execute future grants supporting digital access, affordability, training and equity in the county.

Why it matters: County staff and housing partners told the board that many Sonoma County residents live in areas where infrastructure exists but cannot afford service; the subsidy and the delegated grant authority aim to reduce that affordability gap while the federal funding landscape continues to shift.

Staff presentation and sites selected Catherine, Economic Development Collaborative staff, told the board the county previously applied with Golden State Connect Authority for CPUC Last Mile funds; that application was not chosen, though the CPUC awarded $17 million to other providers for western Sonoma County projects. With impending rule changes from federal funders (including NTIA), staff asked the board to delegate authority to the EDC director to respond and execute grant awards quickly.

Catherine said the county previously approved purchase of 556 subscriptions in December. “These subscriptions will be good for one year free internet at a speed of 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second upload,” she said.

EDC staff then presented recommended affordable housing sites to receive the subscriptions. Each supervisorial district generally has two priority properties and one alternate; staff said the program is optional for households and an alternate will be offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis if uptake is low. The properties named by district included Springs Village, Celestina Gardens Apartments, Fetters Apartments (District 1); 414 Petaluma, Logan Place, Bridal Nueva (District 2); Crossroads Apartments and Carrillo Place (District 3); Larkfield Oaks, Harvest Grove Apartments, Parkland Senior Apartments (District 4); and Fife Creek, Elderberry Commons, Georgia’s Hideaway (District 5). Staff noted Georgia’s Hideaway’s estimated completion is summer 2025 but subscriptions must be distributed and activated by the end of 2026 to be valid.

Supervisors thanked staff and housing partners for prioritizing sites that serve families, seniors, farmworkers and people experiencing homelessness. Supervisor Rabbit said he hoped the county would emphasize households with school‑age children as the program is implemented.

Board action and vote A motion to approve the recommended sites and to delegate authority to the EDC director carried unanimously with the four supervisors present.

Implementation notes and next steps Staff said they will work with the housing providers and Comcast to distribute informational materials and to help residents enroll. The EDC director will have delegated authority to apply for and execute related federal and state digital equity grants so the county can respond to shifting timelines and eligibility criteria.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the public presentation and board discussion; direct quotes are from the transcript of the board meeting.