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Richland County board members push for local broadband outreach and grant coordination
Summary
Board members discussed coordinating county, hospital, library and school representation to apply for broadband grants and to run speed tests to document local coverage gaps. Speakers urged outreach to residents to verify reported service maps.
Members of the Richland County Board spent part of their Feb. 13 meeting discussing a local effort to document broadband coverage and pursue grant funding.
A presenter described plans to recruit a county representative along with participants from the hospital, library and schools to support grant applications. "The goal is to get it ... they're really wanting to give away the. So, they can be used for everything," the presenter said while describing grant awards ranging in the discussion from roughly $30,000 to smaller monthly amounts mentioned by speakers.
Several members emphasized the need for speed testing and resident-level verification because public coverage maps have previously reported broadband where residents say no service exists. One member noted that multiple residents had previously submitted addresses to a state map and the map inaccurately showed broadband service where people reported none.
Board members asked whether the state or a central website shows current estimated coverage; speakers said such maps exist but local testing and address-level checks are necessary to document gaps for grant applications. Members asked staff to support resident outreach and to schedule meetings with potential representatives in the next three to four weeks.
The discussion did not produce a formal motion; members asked staff to follow up with meeting logistics and outreach materials.
