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County waits on state awards as $1.67 million ARPA broadband contract moves forward

5817455 · September 23, 2025

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Summary

County staff reported that a $1.67 million ARPA payment to the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council will support local broadband planning while the state review of ISP awardees progresses; staff said a decision point will come if state grants or ISP awards are delayed.

County staff briefed the Peoria County Board on Sept. 23 about the status of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) broadband initiative and the county’s $1,670,000 payment to the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (GPEDC) to support local broadband work.

Why this matters: County officials previously intended to contract directly with an internet service provider (ISP) that would have received state grant funding; delays in the state award process prompted a pivot to a contract with GPEDC to keep local broadband planning moving while the state‑level selection process finished.

Key points reported by county staff (Heather, staff member): • The county paid GPEDC $1,670,000 to advance broadband planning and to hold the place for local implementation while the state grant awards to ISPs are finalized. The county and GPEDC agreed to reconvene by Oct. 1 to assess progress and next steps if the state process did not yield a clear path. (Speaker: Heather) • State timeline provided by GPEDC: the state planned to publicly announce awardees on Sept. 23 (the day of the briefing), then allow a week for public comment, and submit award information to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) around Sept. 30. A federal review window would run beginning in October with awards finalized in early January 2026 and grant‑agreement negotiations completed by June 30, 2026; all ARPA funds must be paid out by Dec. 31, 2026. (Speaker: Heather) • The county is not at risk of losing its ARPA obligation timing because the payment to GPEDC was already issued; staff said the county will determine next steps with GPEDC if the state award process does not proceed as hoped. (Speaker: Heather)

Discussion vs. decision: the briefing was informational. Staff flagged a near‑term administrative checkpoint of Oct. 1 for county and GPEDC to evaluate progress and the potential to redirect funds to other ARPA projects if necessary.

Ending note: staff said they will continue to monitor the state award schedule and provide updates to the board and that the county’s payment to GPEDC preserves local options while the state and federal review processes conclude.