Starting with a plan back in 2005, Connie Stewart, executive director of initiatives at Cal Poly Humboldt, said the goal was to not stop working until every community had broadband options.
“I’m pleased to report that all of the middle miles that we had in that plan, so long ago, are now either built or funded and on the way to being built,” she said. Middle-mile infrastructure brings fiber optic lines and other equipment to local areas, allowing for later connection to homes and businesses.
The next step is the connections to homes.
This middle-mile effort includes stretches along U.S. Highways 101 and 1, and state Routes 299 and 36, in an effort to install a fiber backbone to reach places that didn’t have an Internet service provider or had abysmally slow service.
In summer 2025, the Hoopa Valley Tribe celebrated completing 23 miles of broadband infrastructure along state Route 96, bringing Internet access to thousands. Similar improvements have been undertaken by the Yurok Tribe and companies like Vero Fiber.
People working on the effort said Tuesday they are now meeting with communities to help push Internet connectivity to homes in rural areas, pointing to 11 eligible communities that qualified for a recent grant in a slideshow. The program, with nonprofit Brightscape Networks and Cal Poly Humboldt staff, aims to now work on the last-mile infrastructure, which connects homes and businesses to the fiber network.
“We are creating customized individual community shovel-ready strategies and plans that would help support the next phase, which would be the grant application support packages,” said Susan Bolton from Brightscape Networks.
Brian Court, from Brightscape Networks, said the aim is to open up conversations and get companies to understand there’s a business case for Internet in these areas — particularly if there’s grant funding to pay for the cost of the build.
Infrastructure across the county was funded through significant grants, including Senate Bill 156, which prioritizes unserved or underserved areas. The USDA Broadband Technical Assistance fund and the Last Mile Federal Funding Account initiative through the California Public Utilities Commission were also used.
Stewart pointed out all of the providers offer a low-cost plan.
Humboldt County Supervisors on Tuesday thanked the presenters and said they often hear questions about broadband in their districts.
Supervisor Steve Madrone asked about the Trinidad area’s middle mile connection, with Stewart saying, “Eureka to Trinidad is almost built.”
“The broadband is hooking up in Garberville, which has been really great for businesses,” noted Supervisor Michelle Bushnell.
Supervisor Rex Bohn said Stewart was instrumental in getting broadband to Ferndale, and from Petrolia to Honeydew for students to take standardized tests.
“I don’t think we can underestimate how Connie’s tentacles go everywhere for the benefit of Humboldt County,” he said.
“I remember those first meetings at the community center in Arcata, and it’s just amazing we’ve gotten this far,” said Supervisor Mike Wilson.
Presenters said the next steps are meeting with stakeholders and collecting information on infrastructure.
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