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Natrona commissioners agree to generic letters of support for broadband grant applications
Summary
Commissioners instructed staff to prepare a non‑endorsement, countywide support letter for broadband grant applications (Mountain West Technologies, Vista Beam) and to finalize it before a Friday deadline, with the chairman to sign.
The Natrona County Board of Commissioners directed staff on Jan. 7 to prepare a generic letter of support the county can provide to multiple wireless or broadband applicants, rather than endorsing any single company.
Commissioners said they did not want the county to appear to be “picking winners and losers” by naming specific companies. Michelle (county staff) was asked to revise a template letter from a 2023 packet and circulate a final draft for chairman signature; commissioners noted a possible application deadline as early as Friday.
Commissioners discussed two applications by name during the work session packet: Mountain West Technologies and Vista Beam. Several commissioners said expressing general support for projects that expand affordable high‑speed broadband access in Natrona County would be appropriate; they opposed language asserting the county had independently verified a company’s track record.
The board did not take a formal vote during the work session. Commissioners asked staff to prepare the generic letter, allow commissioners to make edits, and have the chairman sign when final. The timeline discussed suggested the draft be completed within 24–48 hours so it could meet the application deadline.
