What is Equal Access Monterey Bay?
EAMB is a new initiative to implement long-term solutions to provide broadband access for all residents of the Monterey Bay region.
It is modeled after Equal Access Santa Cruz, which was started by Cruzio in 2020 with help from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, Pajaro Valley Unified School District, and key community donors like Driscoll’s and the Watsonville Rotary.
The Equal Access model is simple – bridge the digital divide with modern infrastructure and make it economically accessible to the community it serves. It’s not enough to provide broadband at costs of $75-$100 a month or more. Connectivity is a necessity, and should be provided to all regardless of income or socioeconomic status. For infrastructure projects that would not otherwise break even for ISPs, this fund will help supplement internet service costs for the residents in our community who are most in need.
Equal Access Monterey Bay Outcomes
☑ New infrastructure (wireless, fiber and other) in unserved areas
☑ Projects that are financially feasible for ISPs
☑ Additional coverage to hundreds of residents for each project
☑ Free to low-cost service for those who need it
Current Projects
Cruzio Internet recently received a CPUC grant to build high-speed internet to the San Jerardo Cooperative just outside of Salinas. With your help, Equal Access Monterey Bay hopes to raise $200,000 to provide free service to all residents for 5 years.
The San Jerardo Housing Cooperative was built by farmworkers in the 1970s. Many of the 250 permanent residents, and up to 100 seasonal residents, are low-income and face innumerable challenges.
This project is spearheaded by Cruzio Internet, working with the Monterey County IT Department, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP), the Central Coast Broadband Consortium (CCBC), and other local organizations. Cruzio is one of the country’s oldest independent ISPs and a trusted provider in the area for over 30 years.
The community of San Jerardo is a farmworker housing cooperative that needs affordable and reliable internet access. Students here do not have a reliable internet connection and are not able to stay connected in their classes. Many families here cannot afford to pay for internet service. The project planned by Cruzio is significantly contributing to the well-being of present and future generations.”
— Horacio Amezquita, General Manager, San Jerardo Cooperative
Make a Gift
To make a gift to the fund:
- Donate directly and securely online – click on the “Donate Now” button below.
- Send checks made payable to “Community Foundation for Monterey County” with “Equal Access Monterey Bay Fund” in the memo line and mail to:
Community Foundation for Monterey County
2354 Garden Road
Monterey, CA 93940 - Make a gift of stock or other assets.
Contact Christine Dawson, CFMC Senior Vice President Philanthropic Services at 831.375.9712 x126.
Donations to the Equal Access Monterey Bay Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) are tax deductible. The CFMC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization,Tax ID #94-1615897
Main photo courtesy KION News