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Board hears broadband applicants; supervisors approve support letters but ask for ZIP-code detail for South River
Summary
Representatives from two broadband providers presented planned deployments and funding strategies; the board approved endorsement letters for state/federal applications while several supervisors asked for ZIP-code lists and expressed concern about South River coverage.
Representatives for two internet providers described deployment plans and funding strategies at the Warren County Board of Supervisors meeting. The presentations outlined a mix of private investment and applications for state and federal broadband funds; presenters said local letters of support would increase their application scores.
Chris Dillon, a director with Brightspeed (presenting on company plans to extend fiber), said the company acquired assets previously owned by CenturyLink/Lumen and described commitments to serve areas moved between funding categories. He and others said the providers generally apply by ZIP-code tabulation area and that local support letters can add points to scoring formulas used by state grant administrators. Board members pressed for more detail about which ZIP codes would be covered in Warren County and asked providers to share lists if legally permitted before the March 1 funding-application deadline. Presenters said they would provide anything they were legally allowed to share.
Board action: The supervisors approved letters of support for the two providers’ applications after discussion. Several supervisors emphasized that the letters do not commit county funds and that endorsement would not prevent providers from applying without them, but that endorsements increase competitive scoring.
Why it matters: Residents in low‑coverage areas such as parts of South River and Browntown said they lack reliable wireline or mobile service. The board and public commenters framed endorsement as a pragmatic step to maximize the chance of grant awards while urging providers to prioritize unserved ZIP codes and send a list of planned ZIP-code applications to the county.
What’s next: Providers agreed to share ZIP-code application lists if legally allowed and county staff requested that list in writing. The board asked staff to include the providers’ ZIP‑code information in follow-up materials and to track any application deadlines (presenters noted an upcoming March 1 filing).
