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Cumberland weighs shifting federal middle-mile broadband grant lead to Salem County amid cost concerns
Summary
Commissioner Victoria Loads said Cumberland County received federal middle-mile funds but is considering handing lead administration to Salem County after engineering costs and change orders raised local funding concerns; a special commission meeting is scheduled to decide next steps.
Cumberland County Commissioner Victoria Loads said the county is reviewing a federally funded middle-mile broadband project and is proposing that Salem County take over as lead agent to limit additional county expenditures.
Loads said Congressman Jeff Van Drew helped secure federal funding for a middle-mile broadband buildout intended to expand internet access in Cumberland and Salem counties. "When $39,000,000 comes your way from the federal government to say, hey. We're gonna give you this opportunity to expand infrastructure," she said, describing the funding as an opportunity to extend internet service to underserved communities.
County officials — Loads said, speaking on-air — have faced higher-than-expected costs and multiple change orders as…
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