Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency Central Sierra Connect, a regional project including Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties, has completed work on an 18-month, $250,000 project funded by a grant from the California Emerging Technology Fund.

CETF, created as part of private telecommunications company mergers, is charged with "minimizing the Digital Divide by accelerating the deployment and adoption of broadband and other advanced communication services to unserved and underserved communities." This project was part of a statewide effort to help rural counties gain 100 percent coverage for high speed Internet and encourage wider use of technology by all residents.

"Ultimately, we all want high-speed Internet to be as universal as telephone service and easily accessible for all residents, including low-income, senior and disabled people," said Project Manager Michelle Shelton. "That is vital to the future of our communities."

On Feb. 9, Shelton will present the Amador County Board of Supervisors with a project update and the final report and facilitate a community forum hosted by Volcano Communications to present a broadband update and survey information for Amador County to local residents. The community will be held Feb. 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Amador Health and Human Services Building, 10877 Conductor Blvd. in Sutter Creek.

More information is available at www.centralsierraconnect.org.