Commissioners approve letter supporting Allo Communications' broadband BEAD/BEED grant application

Allo Communications representatives presented a proposed fiber broadband build to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on May 12 and asked for a letter of support for a state broadband grant application. The commissioners voted to provide the requested letter.

William Smith, director of plant operations for Allo Communications, told the board the company plans an all-fiber network build in Lincoln County that would pass about 1,218 residential locations and directly address roughly 865 underserved residential locations. Smith said Allo's proposal uses rights-of-way for backbone routes and would take the fiber to a pedestal near a home and build the last-mile connection on customer request. He described Allo as a local operator with customer service and technicians based in the area and noted previous emergency repair work following a fire.

The board discussed map details and route definitions. A commissioner asked whether the proposed connections would reach each address; Allo replied that served addresses within 300 feet of fiber are shown as "served" in their mapping and that Allo intends to build to the premises for grant-funded locations.

The board then considered a motion to provide a letter of support for Allo's grant application to the state's broadband funding program (referred to in materials and discussion as the BEED/BEAD program). The motion carried on roll call: Woodruff ' Aye; Bren ' Aye; Huigley ' Aye; Weems ' Aye; Blue ' Aye.

Ending: Allo staff thanked the commissioners and left copies of the prepared letter for signature.