Ukiah, with a $5.6 million state grant, is partnering with Vero Fiber Networks on the “Ukiah Gigabit Fiber Project.” The initiative will deliver affordable, high-speed fiber-optic internet to ~1,700 locations and free internet to 14 city facilities by late 2026. The city will own the infrastructure, leasing it to Vero for 35 years. Construction starts this winter.