By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (Aug 11, 2025)
PLACERVILLE, Calif. — After years of planning, Placerville will break ground Thursday, Aug. 14, on a $20.2 million city-owned fiber-optic broadband project designed to connect hard-to-serve neighborhoods and give residents more choice among internet providers. The build is financed with state taxpayer dollars through the California Public Utilities Commission’s Federal Funding Account, a $2 billion last-mile program created in 2021 to reach unserved Californians.
City documents show the CPUC approved Placerville’s $20,198,943 award on Sept. 26, 2024, under Resolution T-17845. The City Council accepted the grant the following month, clearing the way to begin construction.
According to a staff report, the project will deploy roughly 40 miles of underground, open-access fiber capable of up to 1 gigabit symmetrical service. Engineers estimate the build will directly connect 264 unserved locations (about 1,301 residents) and improve competition and reliability for another 2,145 residents across the city. The network’s underground design is intended for 30-year durability.
Construction management and early build work are proceeding under a City agreement with EntryPoint Networks. In June, the council selected Advanced Stream Broadband and Sumofiber as the inaugural internet service providers that will compete to serve customers over the city’s open-access network.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14. City social posts say local leaders, CPUC representatives and project partners will attend.
“This is not just about faster internet; it’s about economic opportunity, educational access and public safety,” Mayor John Clerici said in announcing the event.
“We are thrilled to break ground on a project that will redefine how our community connects to the world.”
Placerville officials say the city’s application lists the CPUC grant amount as the total project cost, underscoring the state’s role in financing the build. Residents can track updates and learn how to pre-register for service at the city’s broadband information site.
Sources: CPUC Last-Mile program overview and awards; City of Placerville staff reports and resolutions; City social media and broadband site; Broadband Breakfast coverage.
