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Planning and Building Department, Economic Development Division, recommending the Board:
1) Receive and file a presentation from the County’s Broadband Consultant, NEO Connect, focusing on past, current, and upcoming Broadband planning efforts, and the California Public Utilities Commission Federal Funding Account grant;
2) Approve the County taking ownership of the network as a condition of the award and consider the advantages and potential challenges of owning the infrastructure;
3) Accept four (4) California Public Utilities Commission Federal Funding Account grants in a cumulative amount of $66,322,824, consisting of:
A) Coloma Broadband Project - $4,692,838;
B) Garden Valley Broadband Project - $25,227,011;
C) Georgetown Broadband Project - $5,636,823; and
D) Indian Creek Broadband Project - $30,766,152;
4) Delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Building, to execute the California Public Utilities Commission Federal Funding Account grants and any grant-related documents necessary to secure grant funds and implement the approved grant, including, but not limited to, requests for payment, reports, and amendments that do not require a County match, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management; and
5) Receive an update on a Request for Proposals to establish a Public Partnership(s) with an Internet Service Provider(s) to maintain and construct the network.
FUNDING: California Public Utilities Commission Federal Funding Account Grant Funds
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
NEO Connect
With over 13 years of experience, NEO Connect is an industry leader in planning, community engagement, design and engineering, business modeling, financing, owning and operating fiber optic, wireless, and Fiber-to-the-Premise networks.
In September 2017, the County contracted with NEO Connect for a Broadband Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study; then, in January 2020, the Board approved an as-needed contract for broadband consulting services. ...
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