Golden State Fiber Breaks Ground in Glenn County, Expanding Reliable High-Speed Internet Across Rural California
(HAMILTON CITY, CA — April 30, 2026) Golden State Connect Authority broke ground today on the Golden State Fiber network in Glenn County, launching construction on a major rural broadband project and the first deployment in a multi-county effort to expand last-mile connectivity across rural California. State and local leaders gathered at Hamilton City Park to commemorate the occasion, a significant step toward closing the digital divide in underserved communities.
“This groundbreaking is a historic milestone not just for Glenn County, but for rural California as a whole, demonstrating the strength of rural counties uniting around a shared vision to close the digital divide. We are deeply grateful to our state and local partners whose collaboration made Golden State Fiber possible. This network stands as a model for how California can continue to invest wisely in its rural communities,” said Chris Lopez, GSCA Chair and Monterey County Supervisor.
This groundbreaking marks the first of seven planned fiber deployments in Alpine, Amador, Glenn, Imperial, Mono, and Tehama counties, as well as the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Backed by $110.9 million in bond financing and $185.4 million from the California Public Utilities Commission’s Last Mile Federal Funding Account, the Golden State Fiber network will deliver open-access, high-speed fiber infrastructure to communities that have historically lacked reliable and affordable internet service.
GSCA Vice Chair and Alpine County Supervisor David Griffith said, “High-speed broadband is an essential infrastructure that underpins economic growth and quality of life in rural communities. This investment fuels local economies, supports businesses and remote work, and ensures rural areas have the reliable connectivity needed to serve future generations.”
In Glenn County, construction will begin on June 10, 2026, and proceed in two phases, reaching a total of 2,445 homes, including 1,575 in the first phase. Across the initial seven project areas, the network will span 1,065 miles of fiber, with the first 40 miles constructed in Glenn County.
“Today’s groundbreaking is about more than fiber in the ground, it’s about opportunity,” said Glenn County Supervisor, Monica Rossman. “This project represents a major investment in Glenn County’s future. From local farmers to small businesses and students, everyone stands to benefit from this next-generation broadband infrastructure.”
California state and county officials who spoke at the groundbreaking included Chris Lopez, Chair, Golden State Connect Authority and Monterey County Supervisor; David Griffith, Vice Chair, Golden State Connect Authority and Alpine County Supervisor; Maria Ellis, CPUC Director for Broadband Initiatives; and Monica Rossman, Glenn County Supervisor.
Remarks were also delivered by project partners, including Roger Timmerman of UTOPIA Fiber, the network’s operational partner, and John Lucas, Regional Director of HP Communications, Inc., the Glenn County project’s construction partner.
“We are proud to partner with Golden State Fiber to deliver future-proof fiber internet for generations to come. This will strengthen public safety systems and improve daily life, from supporting local businesses and agriculture to expanding access to telehealth, education, and reliable connectivity at home,” said Roger Timmerman, Executive Director, UTOPIA Fiber.
Golden State Fiber will operate as a publicly owned, open-access network that Golden State Connect Authority will finance, construct, own, operate, and maintain. The model allows multiple private sector internet service providers to compete on the same infrastructure, increasing customer choice and affordability for rural communities.
Golden State Connect Authority is a joint powers authority comprised of 40 rural California counties designed for the purpose of increasing access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet for the residents and businesses of those counties.
*Funding for this project has been provided in part through a grant by the Last Mile Federal Funding Account, a program administered by the California Public Utilities Commission.