Valley County approves $81,000 broadband planning MOU with Imagine Idaho Foundation

Valley County commissioners on Feb. 3 approved a memorandum of understanding with the Imagine Idaho Foundation to accept an $81,000 broadband planning grant and to develop a plan that would identify how local providers could use a new middle‑mile connection to expand service.

The board voted by voice to approve the MOU after a staff overview that described Imagine Idaho as a regional broadband convening group that applied for and received the planning grant “on our behalf as a greater project.” The presenter said the plan will be used to show potential users where the county’s footprint needs to expand.

The presenter said the funding “doesn’t cost the county anything” and that the foundation’s work may include legal review and assistance building the plan. The presenter also noted that nearby backcountry communities including Yellow Pine, Warren and “CSASH” are expecting improvements from a separate federal award Midvale Telephone received; the presenter said that award was “I think it’s $12,000,000,” attributing that figure to the meeting remarks rather than asserting it as a verified fact.

Commissioners conducted a voice vote; the motion passed by verbal “aye” with no roll‑call tally recorded in the meeting minutes. The county official said they would sign the MOU, send it back to Imagine Idaho and provide copies to the board once executed.

The planning grant is intended to guide how local providers and the county can leverage the incoming middle‑mile pipeline to expand broadband reach. No additional county funding or budget appropriation was recorded during the discussion.