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Board flags broadband contractor timeline, reviews ARPA projects and small-business grants
Summary
Committee members raised doubts June 9 about the broadband contractor's ability to complete phase two easements and construction in time to spend ARPA allocations; staff were asked to provide cash‑flow and implementation plans and to bring spending updates on other ARPA projects, including small-business grants managed by the EDC.
At the June 9 Committee of the Whole meeting, board members reviewed an ARPA status memo and discussed projects with remaining balances — most notably Phase 2 of the county broadband rollout and a small-business grant program administered by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
Several members signaled they were unconvinced the broadband contractor, Vololo, can complete required easements and construction in a timetable that lets the county spend allocated ARPA funds. Board member Mr. Wilson said he wanted to see a vendor cash-flow and contingency plan before relying on the vendor's assertions that all funds can be spent this year.
"I personally have not seen evidence how Vololo is going to spend $6 million in basically three and a half months," Mr. Wilson said, urging the contractor to provide a detailed schedule and cash-flow showing how funds will be used.
Members asked staff and the broadband task force to accelerate planning and to provide geographic scopes, easement status and clear contingency options by the next full-board meeting so the board can decide whether to reallocate funds if necessary. Staff said grantees and project leads were asked to provide written plans by mid‑June; the county's general ARPA deadline to have funds obligated and invoiced is December 31, 2026, and invoices must be dated on or before that day to meet federal requirements.
Small-business grants: some board members expressed frustration about the pace at which the EDC rolled out its small-business grant program. EDC staff told board members they have spent down portions of the program and can distribute more funds, but county finance staff had not yet received full documentation confirming cash payments to recipients. The committee discussed contingency plans — including redirecting funds to alternate qualified partners — if EDC cannot document expenditures by the end of June.
Next steps: staff will collect implementation and cash‑flow plans from Vololo and other ARPA grantees, provide geography (GIS) files for Phase 2 coverage on request, and bring recommended reallocations or confirmations to the full board for decision.
