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Bartholomew County fiber project stalls; mStreet reports only 20% of premises served, $4M ARP payment at risk
Summary
mStreet Fiber Indiana told county commissioners that only 20% of homes and businesses have received service and that contractor shortages make it unlikely the project will meet the 85% installation threshold required for a $4 million ARP payment; mStreet will send a countywide mailer and continue seeking installers and funding options.
mStreet Fiber Indiana representative Dave Brodin updated the Bartholomew County Commissioners on March 9, saying the company has completed service to only 20% of homes and businesses under the county contract and has been unable to find an installation contractor willing to meet the original fixed-price bid. Brodin said all construction damages have been repaired and that mStreet will send a mailer to every county residence explaining who currently has service and providing contact information for residents seeking more details.
Commissioner Tony London told the meeting that Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation has spent about $140,000–$150,000 repairing water main breaks that Brodin said were caused by, but not repaired by, mStreet's original contractor. Brodin said mStreet is continuing to solicit installers and explore state and federal funding opportunities, but that it is "highly unlikely" the project will reach the 85% installation rate required under the contract for the County to pay mStreet $4,000,000 in ARP grant funds.
Why this matters: if the installation threshold is not met the county may not be required to release the ARP funds tied to contractor performance, but residents who expected service under the county-backed project could remain unserved. The county did not record any new funding commitments or a formal vote on next steps at the March 9 meeting.
The next procedural step reported on March 9 is the mailer and continued contractor outreach by mStreet; the commissioners listed a follow-up agenda on broadband options as part of ongoing oversight.
