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Board backs BalsamWest bid to bring fiber to Nantahala public sites
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Summary
The board unanimously authorized negotiations to award a fiber RFP for five Nantahala public sites to BalsamWest. County briefings noted Charter's RDOF award covers much of the county but is not expected to be active locally until 2025; the board will review a negotiated contract before execution.
Macon County commissioners voted July 11 to move forward with a recommended contract to bring fiber to five Nantahala public sites, accepting a committee recommendation to negotiate with BalsamWest.
Jeff Lee of Little T Broadband Services briefed the board on the county’s broadband projects, noting the South Macon expansion has connected more than 18 businesses and over 243 private residences. Lee said Charter Communications won the FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) award covering roughly 60% of the county but does not plan local deployment until 2025; meanwhile, Frontier and BalsamWest hold separate GREAT grant awards for other service areas. The Nantahala RFP requested fiber service to five locations (EMS, volunteer fire department, library and community center, and a fire department substation); BalsamWest and Charter responded and the committee recommended BalsamWest as the vendor to negotiate with.
Chairman Higdon delivered a letter from the Nantahala Community Club noting the library is exploring Starlink as a short‑term option; Lee said Starlink may be a weather‑dependent interim measure but is not a long‑term lifeline solution for the community.
Commissioner Shields moved to accept BalsamWest’s bid and authorize staff to negotiate a contract to be returned to the board for approval; Commissioner Young seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Next steps are contract negotiation and a future board vote on the finalized agreement.