Broadband funding uncertain; cell tower NEPA issue delays full service
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Summary
Officials said a federal broadband funding round could bring fiber to parts of the community but probability is uncertain; a local cell tower awaits a NEPA-style cultural review before carriers will fully connect.
Board members discussed broadband and cellular service options for the area. Staff reported that South Central Communications has reapplied for federal broadband funding (related to programs linked to the Inflation Reduction Act) and that a future round could make fiber service to the resort and West Village feasible, though staff assessed the probability as under 50 percent.
On cellular service, attendees said AT&T is already operational on the recently built tower but other carriers have delayed activation because a federal cultural/NEPA-style review linked to the 9‑1‑1 project has not been completed. One speaker described the need for an assessment to determine whether excavation in the tower area could disturb cultural artifacts (for example, artifacts such as arrowheads). Staff said the missing report is the barrier to other carriers joining the tower; they expect the required report and ancillary work to be completed and the tower to become fully operational later in 2025.
No formal action was taken; board members agreed to monitor South Central's application status for broadband grant rounds and to follow up on the NEPA-style cultural review for the tower.