Central Coast Broadband Consortium
The main effort of the CCBC's CASF-funded project will be to create a database of existing broadband resources and assets, including accessible conduit, rights of way and wireless sites, and to work with local agencies to develop model policies that support broadband deployment.
The project goals are:
- Identifying broadband assets in the region.
- Creating incentives for telecommunications carriers and others to invest.
- Developing model public policies that encourage the construction and use of broadband networks.
- Establishing an ongoing central database of broadband resources to support broadband investment and economic development.
The project launches in 2012 with an inventory of conduit and fiber routes in the region. The objective is to identify opportunities to connect and expand the use of existing networks, and present telecoms carriers with ready made solutions to existing connectivity challenges.
The initial policy work entails reviewing ordinances and existing broadband-related policies throughout the three-county area. Once the initial information is collected, benchmarks will be established and model polices will be drafted.
In the second and third years, the inventory and model policy drafts will be finalized, presented to local agencies and collected into an accessible and sustainable database. Economic development and technical experts drawn from the region will periodically review the project's progress and provide guidance for the ongoing work.
The Central Coast Broadband Consortium is a 10-year old broadly based, ad hoc group of local governments and agencies, economic development, education and health organizations, community groups and private businesses.
It is dedicated to improving broadband availability, access and adoption in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, and has a long history of broadband development projects implemented by our members and as a group, including a plan to build a 300-mile fiber optic network throughout the region.
Steve Blum, president of Tellus Venture Associates, is a member of the CCBC's board, and is on the grant project's executive committee. Working with other consortium members, he developed the project's work plan and budget, wrote the proposal and managed the successful application and review process. He was also the project manager for the $5 million CASF infrastructure grant the CCBC received to support its proposed 300-mile network, and for two rounds of federal stimulus grant applications as the CCBC worked to fully fund the project.
