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Commissioners highlight $93 million BEAD award, Dark Sky Park planning and emergency management progress
Summary
Commissioners reported on a regional $93 million BEAD broadband award to Core Connect, ongoing Dark Sky Park engineering and grant planning, website redesign work, and emergency management certification activities.
Commissioner John Moate and Commissioner Bill Zucal used the March 5 meeting to report progress on several county initiatives, including a major regional broadband grant, Dark Sky Park planning and emergency management activities.
Moate said Core Connect received $93 million through the BEAD program for a regional broadband project covering a 10-county area; he offered to produce an informational video to help the public understand the project’s benefits. He also reported completion of countywide sexual harassment training for most employees and elected officials and said he has started building a sitemap for a Revize-led website redesign.
Zucal described recent engineering and development meetings for the Dark Sky Park project and said, after failing to secure a DCNR C2P2 grant last year, the committee is considering a DCED grant that could fund road access on DCNR land and park improvements. Lehman Engineering has discussed potential trail work, road work and ADA-compliant grading; a site visit may be scheduled. Zucal also reported work on volunteer and donation-management planning for emergency services and said Emergency Management Coordinator Blaine Manginell has scheduled certification exercises in August to support his required certification.
Why it matters: The BEAD award and regional broadband planning could affect internet access across multiple counties, with local implications for residents and businesses. Dark Sky Park improvements and better emergency management planning could attract visitors and strengthen county readiness.
What’s next: Commissioners will continue to pursue appropriate grants (including DCED), coordinate with engineering partners on Dark Sky Park design and finalize website development tasks. The county will post updates as grant and project decisions advance.
