Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Valley County commissioner reports BEAD-funded broadband, corridor study and $200,000 community grants
Summary
Commissioner Min Sherry told McCall council a BEAD-funded broadband provider plans last-mile construction in Valley County, ITD has commissioned a corridor study from Rainbow Bridge to the county line (no full funding yet), and the county restarted a $200,000 community grant program for awards this fall.
Commissioner Min Sherry updated the McCall City Council on county infrastructure and community programs on April 16.
"It is a company that is in Idaho currently, but just received BEAD funding. And so, they are going to come in, they're going to construct everything themselves, but they're actually going to go to the last mile to the house, too," Min Sherry said, describing a new broadband provider expected to bring competition and last-mile service to Valley County.
Sherry also described a corridor study that Idaho Transportation Department has commissioned covering the stretch from Rainbow Bridge to the county line; the study is intended to identify intersections needing improvements, locations for turn lanes and passing lanes, and where development should partner on infrastructure costs. She said the study currently lacks full funding and the county is coordinating with ITD and other agencies on mitigation needs such as wetlands at Lake Fork.
On wildfire and insurance issues, Min Sherry invited the public to a May 29 wildfire summit (3'7 p.m.) at the Celebration Center at Elk Creek, saying the summit will include Dean Cameron and focus in part on how insurance is being denied to some Valley County homeowners.
Sherry reported a re-started community grant program with $200,000 available; the grants will be identified now and funds awarded in the fall after budget processing.
She also said funding was found to initiate repairs on South Fork Salmon Road and that the project went out to bid in early April; the Forest Service is involved in the repair funding, she said.
What happens next: staff and elected leaders will follow ITD's corridor study outcomes, outreach will continue ahead of the wildfire summit, and grant recipients are expected to be notified this fall when awards are disbursed.
