Regional planning board reports grant wins, broadband challenge results and housing loan fund activity

A regional planning representative briefed the county committee on grant activity, broadband mapping and deployment work, and housing and transportation projects in Washington County and the wider five‑county region.

Before the briefing the committee approved the Jan. 21 minutes by voice vote. The presenter said the regional board secured 14 successful grant awards in 2024 totaling about $4 million, and noted a high success ratio compared with national averages; the presenter added that for every dollar contributed by the five counties the board secured roughly $92 in external grant funds.

On broadband, the regional office described three parallel efforts for Washington County: the New York State provider-challenge process, an MBRC-funded deployment plan and a county-funded broadband deployment program. The county deployment program sent about 1,300 mailers and recorded roughly 180 responses to a first-round outreach; about 80 property owners responded positively and are in follow-up for reimbursement of up to $1,000 for eligible equipment and installation.

Statewide provider challenges submitted by the county totalled 606; the state accepted 543 challenges and rejected 63. The presenter explained rejected challenges typically reflected addresses that had been connected between the time the underlying maps were produced and the challenge review, not that the challenge was wrong. The county noted a majority of accepted challenges in the area were addresses previously reported as served by a provider in state paperwork but that federal mapping currently lists as unserved; those addresses are therefore treated as unserved for grant-area requirements.

The board also described planned drive testing for cellular coverage using an MBRC grant, an OOPLA license purchase to monitor wireless performance, and a May timetable for drive tests. The broadband work includes an effort to pre-permit potential macro-tower sites and to pilot small-cell deployment and other solutions where fiber is unlikely to be deployed.

On housing, the board reported a workforce‑housing revolving loan fund now in operation, offering loans up to $150,000 at 4% to rehabilitate vacant long‑term rental units, and a portfolio of loans in the region that includes Washington County projects. The board said it is managing multiple county projects, including grant administration for water and road maintenance projects and a broadband closeout pending final paperwork.

Committee members asked following questions about grant-area bidding, the mapping lag between provider deployment and state data, and next steps for unserved addresses. The presenter said the state will post submissions in the spring and the county will pursue deployment and other remedies for unserved or underserved locations.