Families living in the Southside community of Hollister, California, have gained access to high-speed fiber internet for the first time. This development follows a $1.77 million grant from the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Line Extension Program (LEP), which has enabled 194 households at locations such as the Hollister Migrant Housing Center and Southside Labor Camp to connect to reliable broadband.
Previously, many residents—particularly migrant farmworker families—faced significant barriers due to lack of internet service. Children struggled with virtual learning, while adults had difficulty applying for jobs and accessing health resources.
The CPUC’s LEP is part of the broader California Advanced Services Fund and is designed to help low-income communities afford the final segment needed to connect their homes to existing broadband infrastructure. This initiative targets areas where extending service lines is often prohibitively expensive and not prioritized by commercial providers. More information about this program can be found on the California Advanced Services Fund webpage.
“If we learned anything during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said CPUC Analyst Ben Swearingen, “it’s that broadband is no longer a luxury. It’s foundational to economic and educational opportunity.”
Monica Maciel Olvera, a resident of Southside, described how her life changed with internet access: “Before we had internet, I couldn’t go back to school. Now I can take online classes and work toward a better future for my kids and myself.”
Supporters say programs like LEP are helping restore fairness by providing digital access that allows families to participate in education and employment opportunities previously out of reach.
The project was completed through collaboration between CPUC staff, South Valley Internet, and Nonprofit Balanced Access.
