County staff reported the state has terminated the regional planning contract for a multi-county broadband project and is offering separate technical help and a planning grant opportunity that would allow Cayuga County to pursue a countywide broadband plan.

"The state has terminated their contract with regional planning for that broadband project... but they are actively trying to move forward with each county separately," Unidentified Speaker 7 said. Staff said the ConnectAll office is offering grant funding and technical support to fund a planning process that would produce both short- and long-term deployment options and ownership models; there is no financial obligation to proceed with construction at the planning stage.

Staff noted the planning grant could help the county inventory existing assets (including dark-fiber) and examine phased build options that could deliver emergency and public-safety benefits, especially for underserved south and north county areas. Two resolutions tied to applying for the planning grant and terminating the county’s agreement with regional planning are expected to be presented next week.

Members asked clarifying questions about financial risk; staff responded there is no fiscal risk in applying for the planning grant and that future projects would be scoped and costed before any construction phase. The county will also pursue any matching or follow-on funds identified in the planning process.