TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Executive Office
MEETING DATE: March 12, 2024
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Darcie Antle
PHONE:
707-463-4441
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Kelly Hansen
PHONE:
707-463-4441
ITEM TYPE: Consent Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: N/A
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Ratification of a Letter of Support for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Federal Investment in Broadband
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Ratify letter of support for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Federal investment in broadband.
End
PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
No previous action.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
More than 2.8 million households in California depend on the Affordable Connectivity Program's (ACP) subsidies and discounts to afford critical broadband internet services. In Mendocino County alone, 2,000 out of 13,000 ACP-eligible households benefit from this program. By giving equal importance to affordability and infrastructure expansion, the ACP plays a significant role in bridging the digital divide and promoting fair access to vital online services such as job search, healthcare, and education for all Americans.
However, the ACP sunsets in April and Congress's failure to extend this program would sever the connection to affordable, reliable broadband access to these 2.8 million Californian households and more than 20 million households nationwide. The loss of the ACP would also reduce the effectiveness of Congress' $42 billion investment in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Act. The ACP is necessary to maximize BEAD program dollars intended to build our nation's broadband infrastructure and ensure no community is left behind. Mendocino County supports the bi-cameral, bi-partisan Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act to ensure this vital program continues to help keep America online.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION/MOTION:
Do not ratify letter of opposition and support.
STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITY DES...
Click here for full text