Cruizo Works With Three California Counties to Build Fiber Network

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2010 – Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties want $43 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration fund for high-speed internet.

$12 million in matching or in-kind contributions have already been promised to build about 312 miles of broadband fiber from downtown Santa Cruz into rural parts of Monterey and San Benito County.

This initiative is public-private partnership and the majority costs, about $55 million, will be paid for by the government, internet provider Cruzio is acting as the project manager of the grant and will oversee construction.

Cruzio and the other companies and contributors of the initial $12 million would help install 112 miles of underground fiber and 200 miles of above ground fiber that would provide internet speeds 10 to 100 times faster than what is currently available.

The project would give high-speed internet access to 237 schools, colleges, libraries, healthcare and public safety providers.

If the grant is awarded, the area from Santa Cruz to Watsonville could be completed as soon 2011, Salinas to Monterey by 2012, and King City to Greenfield by 2013.