Board moves to reinstate county wireless authority as broadband authority to pursue rural internet

Spotsylvania County supervisors voted 6-0 to reinstate the Spotsylvania County Wireless Authority and modernize it as a broadband authority to pursue rural internet and broadband deployment in under-served parts of the county.

Supervisor Mullins reviewed the county's prior 2009 resolution that established a wireless authority and said local internet and broadband needs have grown, especially in rural parts of the county where residents cannot obtain reliable commercial service. He told the board that some grant processes require a local authority or an entity to partner and that the county should prepare a back-up plan in case federal or state grant applications do not provide sufficient coverage.

Mullins moved that staff begin work to reinstate and rename the authority as a broadband authority, update bylaws, and file required documentation with the State Corporation Commission. He said the authority would allow the county to pursue alternatives if grant funding falls short. The motion passed 6-0; the board directed staff to start drafting bylaws and preparing any necessary filings.

Board members said the issue is time-sensitive because federal grant rounds are under way and noted prior challenges with grants that required resubmittal. The board did not at the meeting allocate a specific county funding amount for broadband deployment but asked staff to prepare materials and next steps.