West Hills Community College District (WHCCD) has secured a $1 million USDA grant to launch the Rural Broadband Initiative Cooperative Network (RuBICON), which aims to enhance broadband access in rural Central Valley communities. The initiative will create a cooperative focused on affordable, reliable internet access and digital literacy.
A key component of the project is gathering community input through a survey, which will be open until April 20, 2025, to better understand broadband needs across the region.
“We are committed to ensuring that every community member has access to the tools needed for success, especially in education and business,” said Dr. Robert Pimentel, WHCCD Chancellor. “Project RuBICON will provide the infrastructure and resources necessary to connect rural residents to a brighter, more digitally inclusive future.”
WHCCD Associate Vice Chancellor of Information Technology, Jeff Seed, emphasized the long-term impact, stating, “This project will empower our residents with the digital skills and access needed to thrive in today’s connected world.”
To ensure broad community involvement, WHCCD invites residents to complete a survey by April 20, 2025, to share their experiences and challenges regarding internet access.
Survey Link: https://whccds.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/index.html