June 25, 2025 — ENTRUST Solutions Group (ENTRUST), a leader in power and energy infrastructure transformation through comprehensive engineering and consulting services, has partnered with the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, to announce the groundbreaking of the $104million Gateway Cities Regional Fiber Network. This major infrastructure project, set to transform broadband access across 24 cities in Southern California, broke ground on June 25 at Leuders Park, Compton, CA.
ENTRUST has been a dedicated partner of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments for over three years, providing strategic consulting and innovative design engineering services to bring this ambitious vision to life. The project signifies a bold step towards bridging the digital divide by delivering high-speed, state-of-the-art broadband connectivity to local governments, businesses, and underserved communities.
To mark this pivotal moment, California Senator Lena Gonzalez, and members of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), will join local representatives, project leaders and members of the community, in the celebratory event and witness the launch of this transformative network. Attendees will observe the initial stages of constructing a system engineered to provide end-users with competitively priced internet services at robust upload and download speeds.
Jory Wolf, project lead, ENTRUST, said, “This project redefines how cities connect and collaborate. By providing equitable access to high-speed internet, we are paving the way for economic development, enhanced municipal services, telehealth, telework, and opportunities for distance learning.”
The Gateway Cities Regional Fiber Network will span 125 route miles, linking government buildings, businesses, and 4,200 underserved locations throughout the region. Through a partnership with the CDT, the project is utilizing funding from the State Middle Mile Broadband Initiative and a grant award from the CPUC managed Last Mile Federal Funding Account, the project is designed to alleviate financial burdens on member cities, making this monumental achievement possible at no direct cost to the local governments.
Wolf explained, “The Gateway Cities Broadband initiative reflects a commitment to fostering digital equity and fueling economic advancement in the region. Notable priorities include empowering underserved communities by ensuring equitable access to affordable internet for disadvantaged populations, supporting local businesses with the digital tools they need to thrive in a modern economy and facilitating smart city advancements through improved public services, such as utility smart grids, synchronized transportation systems, and real-time parking management.”
Vilma Cuellar-Stallings, President, Gateway Cities Council of Governments, said “Low-income communities are behind technologically – and business as usual has left communities in several areas of California with a digital divide. We are grateful that CDT and the CPUC worked with the cities in Southeast Los Angeles County to narrow our digital divide and that of communities like ours, bringing high-speed fiber optic access to underserved Californians.”
Adam Biggam, ENTRUST Chief Executive Officer added, “ENTRUST is thrilled to continue our partnership with the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, delivering critical infrastructure that uplifts communities and drives sustainable economic progress. Together, we are creating lasting impact through innovative engineering and collaborative public and private efforts.”
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