BOC votes to apply for funding to expand broadband network

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted to join with the 12 other counties, served by the CSRA Regional Commission (RC), to apply for funding to expand broadband access in the area.

The first step is to conduct a technical study or certified engineering design. The county’s share of the cost for the design is $9,600. The total for all 13 counties is $416,000.

Action was taken to proceed with the study at a called meeting of the commission held Friday, January 29, in the commissioners’ chambers at the Lincoln County Courthouse.

Comprised largely of stimulus funds (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), the top priority of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) is to award infrastructure grants, focusing on middle mile broadband projects that connect key community anchor institutions such as hospitals, community colleges, public safety departments, and other organizations that serve the general public.

A middle mile project connects major tenants; whereas, a last mile initiative is designed to run fiber optic cables from the anchor tenants to individual homes. It costs approximately $44,000 to $50,000 a mile to lay fiber optic cable.

Representing the CSRA Regional Commission at the meeting were Stephanie Quattlebaum, economic development director; Linda Grijalva, planning and development specialist; and Justin Crighton, senior planner.

In her remarks, Quattlebaum said, “If you were talking about water and sewer systems, it would be like owning a trunk line. It will definitely be more cable than you will need for the next 40 to 50 years.”

According to Grijalva, “After the certified engineering study has been completed for the broadband network, we will meet with local officials and develop the actual footprint for the project. Basically, it’s a local project built into a collaborative effort.”

“You will decide what is needed where,” said Quattlebaum.

In other comments, Grijalva said, “If the grant is funded, the county has the option of owning the fiber optics in your community. If the grant is not funded, you will still get a certified engineering design, which can be used for numerous other purposes. Plus, the county will only have to pay $8,200 instead of $9,600 for the study.”

The entire grant requires a 20-percent match. The matches can be inkind, cash, etc.

It was further noted that the system would be a selling tool for industries that are looking to move to Lincoln County. Also, the county would be able to generate revenue by leasing space on the lines to service providers.

“It will benefit everybody and serve as a draw for large and small businesses,” said Wade Johnson, commission chairman. “We are considering this as a means of generating revenue for the county. Somebody is going to do it – it’s just a matter of time. We need to provide for the people and businesses of Lincoln County.”

Regarding the initiative to run fiber optic cables in the county sponsored by the Wilkes Telephone & Electric Company, Chairman Johnson said, “We will not be in direct competition with Wilkes Telephone, Comcast, or any other cabletype services. We will be the backbone of the system. But if these companies want to, they can lease space on our lines.”

During the evening, members of the development authority also met and voted to split the $9,600 evenly in order to participate in the survey with the county.

“I believe this is a good deal for Lincoln County and for the development authority,” stated Chairman Johnson.

It is expected that the grant awards will be announced in September.

Along with Lincoln, the counties served by the CSRA RC are Wilkes, Taliaferro, Hancock, Warren, McDuffie, Columbia, Glascock, Washington, Jefferson, Jenkins, Burke, and Richmond.