Etex Communications pitches $4.5 million fiber build to use Harrison County's $1.5M remaining ARPA allocation

Etex Communications told the Harrison County Commissioners Court on July 19 that it can use the county's remaining $1,500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to begin a fiber build serving the northwest portion of the county.

Etex representative Larry Montgomery said the company's plan would pass about 900 structures and that the full project would cost roughly $4.5 million. —Looking at where we can have the greatest impact, we designed this to reach the most structures,— Montgomery said, adding Etex's board pledged nearly $3 million toward the project.

Why it matters: county leaders said ARPA funds must be used for water, sewer, broadband or COVID expenses, and broadband remains the only viable option for this balance. Commissioners framed the proposal as a targeted —first bite— of a larger broadband strategy that will rely on additional state and federal funding to reach other parts of Harrison County.

What Etex proposed: Montgomery described a design that leverages existing fiber and conduit where possible, with buried fiber and conduit installation to limit storm damage to lines. He said the company could begin connecting homes as early as Sept. 1 if the court moves forward. An Etex engineer who spoke to the court emphasized fiber's long-term advantages over wireless or satellite and urged the county to prioritize fiber where feasible.

Funding and coordination: presenters said Etex would contribute about $3 million and asked the court to consider county support of $1.5 million from ARPA to move the northwest area to the front of the build queue. The presenters also discussed a forthcoming application window for state broadband funds (a referenced $5 billion pool managed by the Broadband Development Office) and recommended the county provide letters of support and consider public-private partnerships to strengthen grant applications.

Commissioners' response and next steps: commissioners asked about geographic priorities, how federal programs and existing federal obligations affect sequencing, and the potential to partner with other providers. The court did not take formal action on the proposal at this meeting; presiding officer said the next meeting could include consideration of a contract or agreement if the court wishes to proceed.

Quotes: —Looking at designs for expanding fiber, we want to expand the areas that are going to have the greatest impact of structures,— said Larry Montgomery, Etex Communications. An Etex representative added, —From an engineering perspective, there's nothing better than fiber optics.—

What remains unclear: the county's formal commitment (contract terms, matching requirements and a construction timeline) was not adopted at the meeting; presenters said a sample agreement would be provided for court review. The county also has other providers and funding opportunities to consider; presenters recommended letters of support and partnership strategies to pursue state funds.

Procedure: this was a discussion-only presentation; no motion or vote on a contract occurred at the July 19 meeting. The court recessed and expected the broadband item to return for possible action at a subsequent meeting.