River Street fiber build well behind schedule, raising risk to ARPA-backed county funding
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Summary
County economic development staff reported River Street has completed roughly 25 miles of an expected ~239-mile fiber route, leaving the project at roughly 10% and putting ARPA funds and grant milestones at risk; board asked River Street to appear before the EDC.
Economic development staff warned the board that the River Street fiber project is significantly behind contract milestones. Planning staff reported only about 25 miles of fiber have been laid out of a contracted route of approximately 239 miles — roughly 10% completion — and noted the amended contract requires substantial additional work to meet hard deadlines tied to ARPA obligations.
Supervisor and EDC members said the project’s slow pace jeopardizes ARPA funding and other county obligations and urged county staff to invite River Street representatives to explain the schedule and plan next steps at an upcoming EDC meeting or special session. One supervisor said contractual remedies and milestones in the amended agreement could hold River Street financially responsible for missed deadlines.
Board members said the county needs confirmation that the contractor's remaining work and the numbers of serviceable locations (the contractor cited roughly 1,040–1,160 potential service locations) will meet the contract's milestones. Several supervisors asked staff to pull the contract and confirm penalties, milestones, and any remedies before the next budget and EDC meetings.
Board members did not take formal enforcement action at the meeting but instructed staff to request a presentation from River Street and to clarify the contract terms relevant to ARPA funding deadlines.