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Board backs folding broadband objective into economic development to speed projects
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Summary
Nevada County staff recommended, and supervisors signaled support for, moving the county's broadband objective into the economic development division to streamline permitting, leverage grants and better support providers through project readiness and regional partnerships.
Nevada County supervisors indicated support for consolidating the county's broadband work under the Economic Development objective to accelerate last‑mile projects and improve coordination with service providers. The change was proposed after a presentation by Landon Beard, chief information officer, who outlined federal and state funding opportunities and remaining barriers to buildout.
Beard said Nevada County has positioned itself through advocacy, streamlined permitting practices and a programmatic environmental review to compete for new rounds of federal funds. "With BEAD finally moving, we need to be ready to help providers with programmatic EIRs, expedited encroachment permits and single points of contact," Beard said.
The board heard that Nevada County received $15 million through a regional Golden State Connect Authority award and that larger federal programs such as the BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) and ARPA‑derived last‑mile accounts will likely award more funding in 2026. Beard clarified those programs require project readiness and frequently are applied for by service providers rather than local governments.
Supervisor Tucker and several colleagues said folding broadband into Economic Development would better align grant guidance, permitting and digital inclusion goals. "It feels like we're more of a facilitator and convener," Supervisor Rob Tucker said, praising a county role that expedites permits and coordinates providers.
Staff said the administrative move is intended to avoid duplicating efforts and to allow economic development staff to prioritize permitting, design standardization and regional collaboration with providers. No formal ordinance or budget change was approved at the workshop; staff will return with implementation steps and a work plan.
Next steps: staff will draft the operational transition plan and return with specific budget and staffing recommendations that identify points of contact for providers and timelines for changing workflows.
