Yamhill County broadband project finishes early; 221 hookups scheduled, basic package $59

A contractor presentation to the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners on June 18 reported the countywide broadband project finished in roughly 18 months, ahead of the original 24-month deployment plan. "We wind up with 131,000 ft of underground fiber placed," the presenter said, and added the project passed the 297 addresses targeted for service.

The presenter said 221 customer drops are currently scheduled and the basic residential package will cost $59 per month. She told commissioners the project came in close to its original budget — an initial estimate of $3.6 million and a final figure the presenter cited as about $3.62 million — despite supply-chain challenges for fiber. The team mitigated delays by procuring materials from out-of-state suppliers; the presenter noted procurement staff even picked up spools in Colorado to keep the schedule on track.

Commissioners asked about the timeline for household connections and long drop distances. The presenter said 85 drops were in the near-term pipeline with a goal of completing many within four weeks, while acknowledging some individual connections extend more than 1,200 feet and one driveway exceeds 4,000 feet and may move later in the schedule. The board thanked the presenter and requested the presentation be emailed to commissioners for their files.