Expediting access to the internet for all residents is the goal of the County’s “Last-Mile Broadband Grant Program.” The Board established the program in 2019 with Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) dollars intended to promote economic development. The program is managed under contract with the Sierra Business Council with oversight from the County's Broadband Work Group.

In April 2021, the County awarded $500,000 for the second round of the "Last-Mile Broadband Grant Program" to four local internet service providers (ISP); broadband service will be offered to 440 households to support distance learning, remote working, and tele-medicine.  The four ISPs include Nevada County Fiber, Inc., Northern Sierra Fiber, Oasis Broadband, and Spiral Fiber, Inc., who each offered unique and innovative approaches to expanding broadband in areas challenged by both the geographic infrastructure challenges and the low population density. 

Following the Board's 2022 Workshop, the Board directed staff to allocate at least $250,000 for Round 3 “Last-Mile” grants from the Economic Development Infrastructure assignment of the General Fund.