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Ashland County board endorses Norvado BEAD application, questions affordability and timeline
Summary
The Ashland County Board voted to endorse Norvado’s application for federal BEAD broadband funding after a presentation and questions about cost to homeowners, low‑cost service options and project timeline.
The Ashland County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 20 to endorse a Norvado application for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding, approving resolution R022025-1494 after a presentation from a Norvado representative and questions from multiple supervisors.
Norvado representative Chad, speaking for the cooperative formerly known as Chequamegon Communications Cooperative, told the board the company plans to apply to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) BEAD program, which Chad said will send about $1,055,000,000 to Wisconsin. He described Norvado’s network footprint in northern Wisconsin and said the company proposes to serve roughly 1,977 broadband‑serviceable locations (BSLs), covering about 83% of Ashland County as mapped in the packet. Supervisor Laura Nigro moved to support the endorsement; a second was recorded and the motion carried on a voice vote.
Why it matters: BEAD is the federal program distributing large broadband buildout funds, and county endorsements are being given weight in scoring for applications. For many residents in rural Ashland County, a BEAD‑funded fiber build would establish a permanent wired connection and potentially change local service options.
During a lengthier Q&A, supervisors pressed Norvado on consumer‑facing costs and project details. Chad said the BEAD build would include the “drop” from the road to the house at no additional charge: “The drop, what we call from the road to the house, that's all part of BEAD. Everything that's within those shaded areas would be served. No extra aid construction.” Chad also said Norvado will commit to offering a low‑cost service option for qualifying low‑income customers at a $40 monthly price point for five years as part of the BEAD scoring commitments.
Supervisors asked about practical limits and timelines. Chad said fiber does not have the same distance limitations as copper and that Norvado expects to meet BEAD's four‑year build window; he estimated Ashland’s work would fall in years two to three of a four‑year schedule. He also listed program conditions that apply to BEAD awards, including Buy American requirements, Davis‑Bacon wage rules, performance bonding and substantial reporting obligations.
Board members and other speakers clarified local overlaps: Bad River is pursuing a separate BEAD application with a different provider, and county endorsement of multiple projects is allowed but does not confer extra scoring advantage. Chad described Norvado as a local cooperative with existing fiber in parts of Ashland County and neighboring counties and argued a local cooperative offers continuity and combined services (voice and video) that some other providers do not.
The board passed the endorsement resolution after hearing questions about affordability, outreach to residents and the potential for overlapping applications. The resolution endorses Norvado’s BEAD application; details about exact vote tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.
Ending: Norvado and county staff said they will proceed with the application and with additional local outreach if the endorsement remains in place. The board’s endorsement does not itself commit county funds; Chad said BEAD applicants must meet federal grant conditions and performance commitments if awarded funds.
