R3 project sets broadband meetings for rural Humboldt and Trinity counties

Residents in 23 rural communities across Humboldt and Trinity counties can weigh in on broadband needs at meetings Oct. 6-8 in Garberville, Willow Creek and Junction City. The USDA-funded R3 project aims to turn local feedback into grant-ready broadband plans that could help communities compete for future state and federal funding.

Why it matters: - Rural broadband gaps affect daily life for households, businesses, educators, first responders and local professionals across Humboldt and Trinity counties. - The R3 project is designed to turn local feedback into community-specific broadband plans that can support future state and federal funding bids. - Better planning could help 23 rural communities compete for broadband infrastructure investment.

What happened: - Brightscape Networks and Cal Poly Humboldt are inviting residents, businesses and community members to a series of Community Broadband Meetings Oct. 6-8. - The meetings are part of the USDA-funded Redwood Rural Reach project. - The sessions will run from 4-6 p.m. at three locations: Redwood Playhouse in Garberville on Oct. 6, Willow Creek Community Service District on Oct. 7, and North Fork Grange in Junction City on Oct. 8. - Amanda Eversole of USDA Rural Utilities Service will participate and share information about USDA programs and resources.

The details: - R3 is a partnership between Brightscape Networks and Cal Poly Humboldt funded through the USDA Broadband Technical Assistance program. - The project is providing broadband planning and technical assistance to 23 eligible rural communities in Humboldt and Trinity counties. - The communities in Humboldt County are Alderpoint, Benbow, Miranda, Myers Flat, Orick, Petrolia, Phillipsville, Redcrest, Shelter Cove, Weott and Willow Creek. - The Trinity County communities are Burnt Ranch, Coffee Creek, Douglas City, Hayfork, Hyampom, Junction City, Lewiston, Mad River, Post Mountain, Salyer, Trinity Center and Trinity Village. - The project team is asking residents to identify what is working, what is not, how they use the internet today and what they need from better broadband service. - A community broadband survey will gather information on current internet service, reliability, affordability, usage, community priorities and the meaning of better broadband connectivity for households, businesses and communities. - Survey results will shape community-specific, grant-ready broadband plans and identify practical solutions and potential funding opportunities. - Community members do not need to be broadband or technology experts to participate. - The project website is More information.

Between the lines: - The project is taking a bottom-up approach instead of starting with pre-set solutions. - Local input is central because community members are seen as the people who best understand the day-to-day broadband challenges. - The USDA presence at the meetings suggests an effort to connect resident concerns with federal program options.

What's next: - Residents can attend the meetings, ask questions and provide input on connectivity needs. - The survey and meeting feedback will feed into broadband plans meant to position communities for future funding rounds. - The project team will use the input to refine technical assistance and planning for each community.

The bottom line: - R3 is trying to convert rural residents' firsthand broadband experiences into actionable plans that could help secure future infrastructure dollars.