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Wallsburg explores broadband grant options as statewide application deadline approaches
Summary
Council member Scott reported a statewide broadband meeting and said a December application deadline exists for a grant program; several private providers expressed interest in bringing fiber to Wallsburg and staff will continue coordinating to determine the best path forward.
Scott Larson, council member, told the council that a statewide broadband meeting highlighted an early-December application deadline for broadband grant funding and that at least one private party has applied to bring fiber into Wallsburg.
"There was a statewide meeting yesterday... There is a deadline for December to actually make application," Larson said. He said one applicant has proposed building fiber plant infrastructure into Wallsburg and that others at the meeting offered help with system setup.
Larson described two common models discussed by vendors: a model where the municipality owns the infrastructure and leases capacity to internet service providers to preserve competitiveness, and vendor-built models where a single provider owns and operates the network. He said the town will track deadlines and work with partners and that permitting and right-of-way issues will be a major part of any build.
The council did not take formal action but asked staff to continue coordination with potential partners and explore options for permitting and funding ahead of the grant deadline.
