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Broadband contractors report splicing and design progress; board grants Zytel flux extension
Summary
River Street and Appalachian Power updated the Broadband Authority and board on BEAD-era work, splicing and pole replacement; the board approved a six-month extension for the Zytel 2024 grant (to Jan. 21, 2027) to resolve state deadline paperwork.
Contractors and utility partners updated Franklin County’s Broadband Authority on project status during the authority’s May 19 meeting.
River Street Networks (represented by Zach Church) reported that design and permitting work is complete or underway in multiple project areas (Snow Creek, Dry Hill, Glade Hill and Oak Level). Church said splice and schematic packages were delivered to Appalachian Power and that River Street had received testing results for several routes; he noted that crews are ready to mobilize once BEAD funding timing and state closeout requirements are clarified.
Appalachian Power project manager Chastity Williams reported 93.47 miles of fiber buildout in Franklin County across several routes, ongoing splicing and testing work, and pole replacements to improve long-term resilience. Williams said Generac (a generator firm) would commission the Oak Level pop site and that AEP will allocate additional crews as needed to meet schedules.
On business items, the board approved an action to request a six-month extension on the 2024 Zytel grant. Staff said a state paperwork deadline discrepancy had put the project closeout date in July rather than the October date the grantee expected; the board authorized staff to file an extension to January 21, 2027, to allow Zytel to finish closeout work without losing access to funding.
Supervisors signaled they want fewer routine updates while contractors coordinate to get “boots on the ground.”
