The Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Central Office awarded Middletown Rancheria Band Of Pomo Indians Of California $130,000 under the Indian Economic Development (CFDA 15.032) federal grant program. The funding supports an engineering feasibility study and broadband partnership project to develop the Tribe's own broadband network on its tribal lands near Middletown, CA. Currently, the Tribe receives unreliable broadband service from its sole provider, which cannot meet the Tribe's capacity needs and charges high rates. The study will investigate costs and requirements to bring broadband backhaul via microwave from Williams, CA, allowing the Tribe to maintain existing service while gaining an alternative provider and future-proofing its network. Specific objectives include assessing technical and financial feasibility of an alternate broadband option, exploring a private tower, evaluating partnerships, determining self-service integration, and enhancing service through the Tribe's FCC-issued 2.4GHz broadband spectrum license. The project aims to improve broadband access and connectivity for 201 tribal members and surrounding communities, expanding access to critical services like telehealth, remote work, and online education.
Mod # | Description | Reason For Modification | Federal Obligation (Click to sort descending) | Date (Click to sort ascending) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $130.0k | 5/17/23 |