Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Broadband topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Calhoun County officials say BEAD funding will expand broadband to roughly 10% of unserved residents
Summary
County administrators and Commissioner Monique French told the Dec. 18 meeting that BEAD‑related federal funding and selected ISPs will bring internet service to about 10% of previously unserved Calhoun County addresses, with phased builds, an interactive GIS map planned and multi‑year construction timelines.
County officials updated the board Dec. 18 on broadband expansion tied to federal BEAD funding and local task‑force work. Administrator/Controller Kelly Scott said federal funding will enable about 10% of county residents who previously lacked internet access to gain service within the next few years; most connections will be fiber to the premise, with some satellite service anticipated.
Commissioner Monique French, who attended a Dec. 9 broadband task force meeting, said selected providers include a consortium (strategic management) and 1‑2‑3 Net, and she described an expected build timeline: approximately 600–700 residents served by the consortium and about 1,200 residents gaining fiber‑to‑the‑home service in initial projects (roughly 10% of the county). She said approval of BEAD proposals was expected by the end of the year, enabling construction to begin next year, and that ISPs may have a roughly four‑year overall build timeline with local construction disruption lasting up to two years in some areas.
County staff said the GIS department is building an interactive, township‑level map to allow residents to check address‑level service eligibility once maps are finalized.
The board did not take formal action on broadband items at this meeting; officials described status and next steps.
Provenance: Remarks by Commissioner Monique French and Administrator/Controller Kelly Scott during committee reports and new business.
