Finance committee recommends Norvado for BEAD endorsement after competing presentations from two providers

Two internet providers—Norvado (Chequamegon Communications Cooperative, DBA Norvado) and Bertram Communications—made competing presentations to the Ashland County Finance Committee about projects they plan to submit for the federal BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) program. The committee voted to recommend Norvado for the county endorsement and to forward that recommendation to the county board.

Norvado’s representative said the company already operates in parts of Ashland County and nearby northern Wisconsin communities, runs a predominantly fiber network, and would apply for BEAD funds to extend service to shaded areas identified on the PSC eligibility map. He told the committee Norvado’s planned BEAD application proposes to serve roughly 83 eligible locations in county-specific areas and about 83 locations in the shaded areas he displayed (the presentation said Norvado’s project would serve about 83 locations in Ashland County; later presenters provided higher counts for countywide proposals).

Bertram Communications presented an alternative plan proposing to apply for BEAD funding to serve a broader set of the county’s BEAD‑eligible project units and described its ‘‘active open network’’ (a direct fiber to premises approach) and proposed monthly pricing tiers ($47.99 for 250/250 Mbps, $69.99 for 500/500 Mbps, $99.99 for 1 Gbps/1 Gbps). Bertram said BEAD‑eligible premises would receive the road‑to‑home construction (the “drop”) at no charge under the grant, and the company offered to provide free drops and monthly service for community anchor institutions such as town halls, fire departments and EMS locations it passes.

Committee members asked both vendors how much household hookup would cost and whether local subcontractors would do the digging. Norvado said for the specific BEAD‑shaded areas it would serve, the grant covers construction and customers would pay only standard installation fees (which the representative said the company often waives during promotions). Bertram said BEAD‑eligible premises would receive installation and activation at no charge and that non‑eligible premises would be offered economical options, with drop costs starting around $300 depending on distance from the road.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) staff member at the meeting confirmed endorsement points carry weight in the competitive BEAD review and that counties may endorse more than one applicant or endorse specific project areas; committee members noted endorsements are memorialized by resolution and minutes and can add application points.

Committee discussion weighed local presence, local jobs and repair responsiveness versus competition. One supervisor emphasized Norvado’s local cooperative structure and long regional presence; another committee member praised Bertram’s nationwide and regional project experience and its active open‑fiber approach.

A motion to recommend Norvado’s BEAD application to the county board passed on a committee roll call; the chair said the recommendation will be considered by the full board at its next meeting on Feb. 18. Committee members invited both providers to present to the county board on that date.

The committee instructed staff to adjust the resolution language (the packet initially named Norvado because it was the only applicant known when the resolution was drafted) so the board can consider the committee’s recommendation and the competing proposals.