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Board hears ARPA broadband update, easement challenges for Volo project and timeline for small-business grants
Summary
Staff updated the county board on American Rescue Plan broadband projects and small-business grant timelines: Volo’s rural broadband effort is delayed by incomplete easements, and a small-business program must show progress by mid-July or the county may consider alternatives.
County staff provided an update on ARPA-funded broadband projects and the county’s small-business program, reporting continuing work on an urban Housing Authority broadband project and delays for a rural expansion driven by unreturned easements.
Kathy (county staff) told the board that the Volo rural broadband project and the Housing Authority build remain underway; Volo expects construction to start in July but faces incomplete easement returns. Board members reported a figure from a recent Farm Bureau meeting that Volo had received about 28% of easement contracts back as of the most recent outreach.
Staff and a board member said Volo needs roughly seven to eight contiguous landowners (about five miles of easement) in a stretch to start construction; returns vary by location. The board’s broadband task force plans a July meeting with Volo to get a fuller update, and members said Volo and the task force will present further details after that meeting.
On the small-business program, staff said they have asked the program lead to submit evidence of progress by mid-July and warned that the board could consider alternative uses of funds if a grant or loan is not in place by July 15. The county chamber indicated it has capacity to administer more small-business assistance if additional funds become available.
Why it matters: Broadband expansion affects rural connectivity and economic access; the small-business program is an ARPA-funded effort intended to support local economic recovery. Delays in easement returns can materially push back construction timelines.
Next steps: The broadband task force will meet with Volo in July and provide an update to the board; staff will report back on the small-business program’s progress by mid-July.
