July 10, 2025
Fort Bragg City Council approves joint-build agreement with the California Department of Technology
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Department of Technology and the City of Fort Bragg have agreed to the joint-installation of approximately four miles of network infrastructure for the Middle-Mile Broadband Network and last-mile infrastructure to bring internet access to the community.
“The California Department of Technology is thrilled about approval of the joint-build agreement with the City of Fort Bragg,” “This partnership will help bring affordable and reliable internet access to rural communities who need better connectivity in their day-to-day lives.”
Mark Monroe, Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative Deputy Director
MMBI Deputy Director Mark Monroe watches as a construction worker drills a hole for conduit to be pulled through.
The four miles of network will run from north to south through Fort Bragg along State Route 1. This segment of broadband fiber is important not only because it is part of the State’s middle-mile network, but also because it will leverage the California Public Utilities Commission’s last mile grants, a critical infrastructure investment that brings internet to homes, schools, and other community spaces.
Three construction workers guide conduit into the ground.
“Every community in California deserves access to reliable broadband. It’s the key to quality education, healthcare, good jobs, and essential services—and it ensures rural areas like Fort Bragg aren’t left behind in today’s digital world. Approaching broadband as a public utility will help ensure our community benefits from this historic investment at affordable rates,”
Sarah McCormick, Fort Bragg Economic Development Manager
In December of 2024, the City of Fort Bragg was awarded a Federal Funding Account grant, or FFA grant, by the California Public Utilities Commission for a last mile project. The FFA grant will support building this portion of the Middle-Mile Broadband Network.
“This investment in Fort Bragg’s broadband infrastructure is not just about internet access — it’s about equity, opportunity, and long-term resilience,” “By delivering high-speed, affordable fiber service to underserved communities, we’re helping close the digital divide and empowering people with the tools they need to thrive in today’s connected world.”
Maria Ellis, Director of Broadband Initiatives at the CPUC
By delivering high-speed, affordable fiber service to underserved communities, we’re helping close the digital divide and empowering people with the tools they need to thrive in today’s connected world.”
Joint-build partnerships have spurred up across the middle-mile network. Other examples include the Karuk, Hoopa, and Chumash of Santa Inez tribes, and the City of Los Angeles. These local partnerships bring local expertise to a statewide initiative.
The Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative was created through Senate Bill 156, allocating $3.873 billion to build a more than 8,000-mile broadband internet network to bring reliable internet access to unserved and underserved communities.
The new partnership between the California Department of Technology and the City of Fort Bragg is a significant step toward connecting rural Californians and closing the digital divide.
A construction worker uses a saw to cut through concrete.