Designs are complete for high-speed internet networks in nine rural Santa Barbara County communities, but the projects are still waiting on funding for construction.
The county received a state grant in 2023 to kick-start its broadband effort, Marjie Kirn, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) executive director, told the Sun. Using the grant, SBCAG and Santa Barbara County recently reached three milestones in preparing to expand the broadband network: establishing a joint powers authority, completing network designs, and finalizing an environmental impact report.
With the broadband designs complete, everything is in place to install networks that will connect central infrastructure to homes, businesses, and community centers in areas with limited access. The next step is putting the lines in place.
“That funding isn’t as readily available as we originally anticipated,” Kirn said. “We’re kind of stuck in this stalemate, where we have to wait until that funding is available again, and then we’ll aggressively pursue it to implement the construction.”
The county will apply for a state grant when one becomes available, Kirn added, but the cost of the project is unknown.
The county worked in phases during the design process. Phase 1 included Guadalupe, Cuyama and New Cuyama, Casmalia, and Los Alamos. With funding remaining from the 2023 grant, the county also planned the areas in Phase 2, which included Los Olivos, Jonata Park, Refugio Canyon, areas east of Santa Maria, and the West Highway 246 corridor, according to SBCAG.
The project aligns with California’s Middle Mile Network initiative, which aims to strengthen broadband and improve access for underserved communities, according to the state.
“It’s getting us further and closer to getting better quality internet in our communities,” Kirn said.
SBCAG got involved with broadband access after the COVID-19 pandemic, Kirn said.
“Being able to connect online rather than traveling became a much greater priority for our agency,” Kirn said. “Seeing that people have better access to the internet became a priority.”
The project’s goal is to eventually improve internet access for communities that have limited services. Kirn said that while the public may not see the results today due to challenges securing funding, she hopes there will be funding in the future.
“This work will not be wasted. We’ve done it,” Kirn said. “It’s ready to go, and my hope is that somebody will take it and run with it.”
This article appears in Aug 14-24, 2025.