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Hanover updates Connect Hanover broadband rollout; seeks six‑month DHCD extension for private‑road work
Summary
County staff reported progress on the BEAD/NTIA‑funded Connect Hanover project: mainline fiber largely complete for one contractor, home connections averaging 30–40/week, private‑road easement acquisition slowing home hookups; staff requested board support for a six‑month contract extension with DHCD specific to private‑road connections to 06/30/2026.
Deputy County Administrator Todd Kilduff gave a monthly update on Hanover’s Connect Hanover broadband initiative, reporting contractors’ progress, outstanding private‑road easement work and funding steps tied to state and federal grants.
Kilduff said BrightSpeed had closed out its state contract mainline build and AllPoints Broadband was actively making home connections, averaging roughly 30–40 residential connections per week. The mainline fiber along public right‑of‑way is substantially complete; the primary delay is securing notarized private‑road easements from individual homeowners, which remains time‑consuming. Staff said AllPoints has knocked on roughly 6,198 homes and that neighborhood “champions” (HOA presidents or volunteers) have helped increase the 30% take rate by securing signatures.
Kilduff reported that BEAD/NTIA funding and related environmental clearances are in place and that contractors are expected to begin under contract in March 2026; however, DHCD has allowed an extension request for private‑road work and staff asked the board for a nonbinding head nod to request a second extension to 06/30/2026 specific to mainline/private‑road completion. Board members and staff clarified the extension applies to the mainline/private‑road portion, not the final passings/household connection deadlines, which remain subject to contract terms.
Board members asked about lists of affected private roads, easement rates, and stacking space for connections; staff said GIS and address matching have produced recent maps and an address spreadsheet that now supports tracking and proof of AllPoints' outreach (door knocks). Kilduff said DHCD told the county no further extensions would likely be allowed after 06/30/2026.
The board indicated that staff had its concurrence to pursue the requested extension and to continue weekly oversight of contractor progress. Staff will return to the board with any material changes or if additional county action is needed.
