Hayward receives $2.7M to give businesses high-speed internet

HAYWARD, Calif. -- A $2.7 million grant has been awarded to the city of Hayward to help install fiber optic cable in a business district to give businesses high-speed internet access, U.S. Department of Commerce officials announced Wednesday.

The grant, which is expected to make businesses more efficient, is estimated to create 148 jobs, retain 26 and lead to job opportunities for the region, according to the department.

The Department of Commerce also announced today that the city of Sanger in Fresno County has received a $1.2 million grant for a water storage tank project. Both grants were awarded by the department's Economic Development Administration.

"The EDA grants announced today will support infrastructure projects that will boost business development and job growth in the Northern California region," Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said in a statement.