The first phase of the Paso Robles fiber optic connectivity project is underway. Local industry, manufacturing and technology companies, as well as residents, will soon have access to higher-speed internet. The city hopes this will create more jobs.
“We want to cover major thoroughfares, Vine Street and Theater Drive are definitely major streets,” said Ditas Esperanza, capital projects engineer for the city of Paso Robles. Niblick Road is a main street and the city center is a major hub.”
The City of Paso Robles is extending its underground fiber optic network to downtown and five commercial and industrial employment centers east and south of the city.
The city received a $2.4 million grant for the $3 million project to promote collaboration with Internet service providers to enable lower-cost, high-speed Internet access.
“It’s mainly about being able to offer more variety and faster speeds across the city, but it’s also fun for cities and businesses to get up and running, and maybe as they flourish, they’ll hire more people,” Esperanza said. people.”
Deprise Brescia owns the Deprise Brescia Art Museum on the corner of Pine and 10th Streets. The maestro said she has been hesitant to let guests use her WiFi since opening in 2020 because it would slow down her internet speed.
“We have people who want to sit on the patio, like the husband who doesn’t want to shop and the wife who doesn’t want to shop,” Brescia explained. “It would be great if we could find a solution, because there isn’t one yet.” “
Paso Robles
The fiber supply along 13.4 linear miles will serve approximately 2,500 businesses and more than 10,000 jobs, with the hope that low-cost internet will support employment and stimulate the development of industrial, agricultural, commercial and other technology enterprises.
“You have to remember that people from all over the world are either still working remotely or traveling, but they need to check in, they need to check their email,” Brescia added.
The program is designed to facilitate distance learning, workforce development training and telemedicine connections.
The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.