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Board approves MOU with Golden State Connect Authority to advance rural fiber; local ISP seeks coordination on "overbuild"
Summary
The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Golden State Connect Authority so the agency can proceed with construction RFPs and municipal bond financing to extend fiber in rural Amador County.
The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Golden State Connect Authority, a joint powers agency convened by rural counties to pursue broadband grants and construction, allowing GSCA to move forward with construction requests for proposals and municipal bond financing.
Pat Blacklock, chief executive officer of the Rural County Representatives of California and executive director of GSCA, told the board GSCA was formed in late 2021 to help rural counties pursue broadband funds and that the agency has secured significant construction awards that it intends to pair with municipal bond financing. "We've been awarded about $185 million for construction, which we will pair with about $100 million in municipal bond financing," Blacklock said, and he said the MOU is a critical step for releasing construction RFPs and for approaching bond investors.
Local provider representatives including a Volcano Communications spokesperson told the board they are concerned that portions of the GSCA project overlap with existing, functional fiber installed by local providers. Frank, representing Volcano, said the CPUC maps used in the planning process were outdated in places and that the project, as mapped, would "overbuild" reliable existing fiber in parts of the county.
GSCA and Volcano agreed to pursue regular coordination. The board asked GSCA to meet monthly with Volcano and county representatives initially (with the supervisors who serve on GSCA participating as ad hoc stewards) to try to minimize duplicate construction and to explore partnership options such as network access or revenue-sharing arrangements.
David Griffith, vice chair of GSCA and an Alpine County supervisor, said smaller counties would not have otherwise attracted private investment to bring fiber to many rural areas. He said Golden State Connect Authority's structure as a public agency offers flexibility local jurisdictions often need.
The board approved the MOU and related resolution by voice vote. Supervisors directed staff and GSCA to set up recurring meetings with Volcano and county representatives and to return to the board if significant changes to scope or funding are proposed.
