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Gilliam County awarded $7.35 million broadband grant for Arlington School District; 334 hookups planned
Summary
The county announced an Oregon Broadband Office grant of $7,354,057 to fund 334 broadband hookups for the Arlington School District, with a required 25% local match; Rally Networks’ private fiber work in the south county will cover some homes, and mapping is planned to determine unserved locations.
Gilliam County officials said the Oregon Broadband Office has awarded the county a grant of $7,354,057 designated for the Arlington School District to expand broadband access to 334 locations, with a 25% local match required.
County leadership told the court the grant reflects a countywide broadband initiative begun under the previous administration. The county plans to use the award to extend service in the south end of the county and to move toward countywide broadband coverage.
“Rally Networks received funding for fiber in the south end of the county, and that is being done currently at no to minimal expense to the public because it's private,” the county representative said. The county has asked Rally Networks for mapping that will show which homes will have fiber-to-the-door from the private build and which homes will remain unserved so grant funds can target gaps.
County staff said the grant application determined which locations qualified for funding; some homes were excluded because they were “considered too expensive to reach.” The county also said school-district boundaries determined the eligible service area for this award, so properties in the adjacent Condon School District were not eligible under this grant.
Officials described the project as substantial but said it will be a multiyear effort that requires consultants and further planning. The county estimated it would need cash matching funds in the range of $1.8 million to $3 million at current prices to support the awarded project.
The court said it will continue to work with consultants and Rally Networks to develop a complete countywide map of service and remaining gaps before finalizing construction plans.
The county did not provide a construction schedule or a list of specific addresses that will receive service; those details, officials said, will be determined during planning and mapping with consultants and the private provider.
