About the Effort
The County of Ventura is convening a network of local partners to help facilitate the technology and the financial landscape needed to enable and encourage broadband internet providers to bring high-speed, affordable internet infrastructure to communities countywide. Together with government, business, and community partners, the County is applying for grants to access state and federal funds to move one step closer to expanding internet access countywide.
Reduce Costs and Facilitate Investment
Reducing municipal telecommunications budgets and enabling strategic investments.
Enhanced Services and Government Innovation
Support for Smart City, intelligent transportation, and government innovation to enhance services to the community.
Support Telehealth, Remote Learning, and Economic Development
Ensuring our residents and businesses have the services they need to thrive in the digital world.
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Ventura County Logo
Magellan Broadband Logo

Ventura County partnered with Magellan Broadband to facilitate investment in a fiber-optic network spanning the Ventura County region to ensure robust broadband is available to close the digital divide, support government innovation, and enhance economic development throughout the County.

Overview

Project Phases

The Ventura County Middle Mile Fiber Network, shown in the map, will be deployed in a phased manner, with an initial focus on Zones A, B, C, E, H, J and K to address communities with a severe lack of service along the Highway 126 and 118 alignments. Subsequent phases will be deployed as funds become available.

Click on the map image to enlarge.

Ventura County Fiber Ring Plan Map

Letter of Support

Governments, business organizations, and community service providers are invited to submit letters of support to enhance the County and its partners’ grant applications to help fund the infrastructure for broadband internet providers to better serve Ventura County.

Please select the appropriate letter template below that relates to your organization or agency type.

A Word document will be downloaded for you to copy and paste to your organization’s letterhead. Once your letter is ready, upload it using our online form.

Upload Your Letter of Support to Contribute to Grant Applications to Enhance Internet Access in Ventura County

Benefits of Faster, Cheaper, More Available Internet

Government Services

  • Creates a resilient, redundant communications loop connecting key facilities
  • Improves communications for public safety, Smart City, and intelligent transportation
  • Reduces municipal telecommunications expenditures

Community Benefits

  • Brings options for wholesale broadband to increase competition and lower cost of services
  • Provides ability to connect schools, libraries, and community centers
  • Enables telehealth, online learning, and other digital services

Economic Development

  • Supports economic development and job training programs and remote work
  • Attracts investment from internet service providers and large employers
  • Capitalizes on existing assets and strategic partnerships
To begin building portions of the network, the County plans to develop applications for grant funding through sources such as the State of California’s Last Mile Federal Funding Account, Economic Development Administration’s Economic Adjustment Assistance program, and the State of California’s Capital Projects Fund. The network will also be implemented in coordination with the state’s middle mile broadband initiative (https://middle-mile-broadband-initiative.cdt.ca.gov/).

Grant Funding Support

With the support of grant funding, construction will follow and complement the strategies of local cities as they move forward with development of their own community networks.  As these cities work together as stakeholders, the group will discuss opportunities for interconnection based on several shared principles:

  • Focus on connecting underserved communities with affordable, reliable internet.
  • Create connections for anchor institutions.
  • Maintain an open trench philosophy. Any interested parties can participate in order to increase opportunity while decreasing associated investment costs.
  • Each municipality will operate and maintain their own community network in whatever manner the municipality chooses.
  • Governance will occur through the ongoing oversight and collaboration of participants.