Madera County Board of Supervisors and County Administration continue to work towards bridging the digital divide in one of the most rural counties in California.

A new program funded through the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) program from which the County received an allocation as part of a five-county regional initiative to pilot a postcard notification program to low income residents about the availability of the Get Connected California program.

Click on the link to see if you qualify and Get Connected

Madera County Broadband Strategy and Roadmap 2023

Study approach and activities:

To understand and address broadband access in Madera County, this study took a 3-step approach by gathering coverage data, conducting analysis and interviews, and developing a strategic action plan. We identified and integrated broadband data from public sources & Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to create a comprehensive map of Madera County’s regional coverage. We also conducted 25+ stakeholder interviews with school districts, cities, county agencies, and other organizations to understand current plans for broadband expansion, validate data with ISPs, and analyze various needs across the County. Both the coverage map and local stakeholder feedback were used to identify underserved and unserved areas and determine where the County should consider developing broadband infrastructure. This study’s recommendations for broadband infrastructure projects were developed based on the broadband coverage gap analysis, community priorities, and potential ISP expansion plans. Each recommendation includes: the project area, an impact analysis, a cost estimate, funding opportunities, and potential ISPs to deliver the project. These project recommendations, along with the remaining output of the study, are detailed in this report.