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County seeks state decision on $14M broadband grant; ECC Technologies contract work to continue
Summary
County planning staff said a $14 million broadband expansion application remains under state review; ECC Technologies has been retained to support the application and ongoing grant work and the committee approved a contingent appropriation to pay unspent contract funds carried from 2024.
Nick Hemholt, who identified himself during the meeting as the county’s broadband consultant, told the committee that Tompkins County’s application for a federal/state broadband expansion program remains under review and that the county expects a state meeting next week to press for a decision.
Hemholt said the county’s application is for approximately $14 million and that ECC Technologies has supported mapping, state coordination and application preparation since 2022. He told the committee the firm has been working with county staff on alternatives if the current application is not awarded.
Why it matters: The project targets unserved and underserved areas countywide (outside Dryden and Caroline, which the consultant said already have separate projects). If funded, the grant would pay the capital costs to extend service; in public comment committee members raised concerns about household connection costs and the expense of running service under roadways.
Committee members asked whether the grant would cover the final‑mile connection costs for residents who report high fees to connect; Hemholt said that exact household eligibility would need to be checked by address but that the grant application seeks to cover expansion where economically possible. He said ECC has been lobbying and tracking the state decision process.
The committee voted unanimously to move unspent 2024 funds for broadband consulting into a 2025 professional‑services line to pay ECC Technologies for continuing work while the grant decision is pending.
Ending: Staff said they will continue to press the state for a decision, will update committee members on coverage by address on request, and that additional management support could be needed if the award is made.
