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County officials outline broadband deployments, open CFAs and land bank planning
Summary
Economic Development Director Laura Oswald updated the committee on remaining ARP broadband funds and a recommended $457,000 contract to SLIC Network for 70 passings, reminded members CFAs are due July 31, and said the new Washington County Land Bank has been incorporated and requested state operating and capital funds.
Laura Oswald, Washington County Economic Development Director, briefed the committee on several ongoing implementation items on June 23.
Open CFAs and grants: Oswald said Consolidated Funding Applications are open and applications are due July 31; a handout with details was provided to the committee.
Broadband: Oswald reported about $500,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) broadband funding remains and recommended contracting with SLIC Network for $457,000 to create 70 new passings in the towns of Cambridge, Greenwich, Argyle and Granville. She said the county had preliminary BEAD allocations after a state re‑evaluation: New York State initially received $391 million for BEAD deployment; county unserved household estimates have shifted to 964, with roughly 220 passings proposed for Verizon and 744 for Starlink. Oswald cautioned the committee that Starlink would provide equipment but not installation.
Land Bank: Oswald said the Washington County Land Bank received its certificate of incorporation, has applied for an employer identification number and submitted a state funding request for $200,000 in operating funds and $2 million in capital funds. The land bank has begun reviewing county‑owned parcels to identify tear‑downs and potential rehab candidates and plans to use regional brownfield predevelopment funding for contaminated sites. The land bank’s website is washingtoncountylandbank.org.
No committee votes were taken on the broadband contract or land bank funding requests at the meeting; the broadband contract remains pending receipt of a signed contract to allow ARP payments by year end.
