Board approves amendment to ARDOF broadband MOU to switch vendor for county project

The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted to approve an amendment to the ARDOF memorandum of understanding that updates the internet service provider assigned to a state broadband award.

Staff said the original ARDOF MOU tied grant proceeds to Brightspeed, which will no longer build the project. The proposed amendment replaces Brightspeed with Firefly; no new local funding was required. The board—s motion authorized the county administrator to sign the amendment on behalf of the county if the board approved it, and County Attorney Hannon Wright reviewed the document prior to the vote.

Outcome: The motion was made and seconded and the board approved the amendment by voice vote. Staff will transmit the fully executed amendment to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DCHD) and the participating internet-service provider so grant funds can flow to the provider building the network.

Ending: County staff said the change is procedural to ensure the award is applied to the ISP that will construct the broadband network; no local match or new county dollars were required.