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Somerset County seeks full contracts to speed broadband and digital-inclusion spending
Summary
Commissioners heard that the county expects about $600,000 in community-benefit funding tied to the corridor and reported an increased broadband stake (transcript cites $4,200,000) as well as plans for device funds and municipal IT modernization programs to improve access and cybersecurity for small towns.
Somerset County commissioners reviewed plans to use community-benefit and broadband funds to expand internet infrastructure and local digital services.
A county representative said the community-benefit process green-lit proposals that could yield approximately $600,000 for the county with eligible uses set by the county commission. The same speaker said the county had increased its broadband stake to $4,200,000 (up from an earlier figure referenced as $2 million) and is pushing to secure a full contract with the state broadband authority to draw funds directly rather than leave them in state coffers.
The county also described separate device and digital-skills funding: roughly $30,000 in device funds for eligible residents and an ongoing program to teach digital skills, provide devices to qualifying low-income residents, veterans and seniors, and to support municipal IT upgrades and cybersecurity services for small towns. Officials said part of the county’s approach will be municipal modernization assistance — assessments, contractor recommendations and service agreements for town offices that often have limited hours and technical capacity.
"We want a full contract. We want all the money in, as soon as we can get it," Speaker 8 said of the broadband funding arrangement with the state, and emphasized an intent to draw down funds quickly to begin upgrades.
Next steps: finalize the county’s contract with the state broadband authority, begin administering device funds and municipal IT modernization work, and plan continued community-benefit spending over the coming years.
