State gives preliminary BEED backing to county broadband application; federal decision and technology choice remain
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Summary
The state selected Burke County's BEED broadband application over a competitor (Comcast); county has applied for $9 million in BEED funds and proposed matching with $9 million in local SPLOST funds, but the final award and whether the project uses fiber or satellite will be decided at the federal level.
County staff reported that the State of Georgia has given preliminary approval to Burke County's BEED (broadband) application, selecting the county's proposal over a competing application from Comcast. The staff member emphasized the state approval was an important hurdle but said the final funding decision rests with the federal review committee.
Officials said the project application requests $9,000,000 from BEED and proposes matching that amount with $9,000,000 of local funds so that SPLOST money can extend farther. County staff said the federal decision will consider technology choices, noting a decision between fixed fiber and satellite-based approaches remains at the federal level.
Staff listed members of Congress and state representatives who had been contacted to support the application and said county leaders had received responses from several offices. The county will continue to advocate for federal approval and report back as the federal review proceeds.