Committee hears broadband progress: county has committed nearly $11 million, coverage about 85%
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Summary
A county commissioner told the committee Bedford County has committed about $4.3M in round 1 and $5.1M in round 2 plus earlier county funds, serving roughly 3,215 households so far with about 3,100 people remaining to be covered; vendors will present a progress update to the commission in July.
An unidentified commissioner updated the Bedford County Rules and Legislative Committee on Feb. 10 on the county's broadband deployment, saying the county has committed roughly $4.3 million in the first federal round and about $5.1 million in the second, plus earlier county contributions of around $700,000 — a total the speaker described as close to $11 million in county and grant funding.
"The first round, we served 970 people. The second round, 2,245 people," the speaker said, adding that the county is about 85% of the way toward providing service to the community and that roughly 3,100 people remain unserved. The speaker said Bedford County is among the most advanced rural communities in the state for broadband deployment and noted a major line will run through adjacent counties into Franklin.
The speaker said this upcoming round is likely the last federal round for the county's current program and that vendors have agreed to come to the county commission in July to present a progress update showing where service is active and what gaps remain. Committee members suggested a formal recognition of progress when the presentation occurs.
The update framed broadband as benefiting schools, seniors, farmers and local businesses, and the committee agreed to host a vendor presentation later in the year. No formal action or appropriation accompanied the update at the Feb. 10 meeting.
