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Chief Administrative Office and Planning and Building Department, Economic Development Division, recommending the Board receive and file an update from the County’s Broadband Consultant, Neo Connect, on Broadband planning efforts for an Economic Development Administration Grant in collaboration with the City of South Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Prosperity Center specific to designing a broadband project in Tahoe Basin.
FUNDING: Transient Occupancy Tax.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On September 1, 2015 (File No. 15-1020, Item No. 27), following a presentation on the state of Broadband infrastructure in the County, the Board established a Broadband Technical Advisory Committee (Committee) to work on broadband issues and appointed two (2) Board members to serve on that Committee.
On January 12, 2016 (File No. 16-0006, V1, Item No. 5), the Board adopted Resolution 013-2016, which approved the submittal of an application for an (EDA Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program Grant to complete a Broadband feasibility study.
On September 27, 2016 (File No. 16-0006, V2, Item No. 25), the Board authorized acceptance of a $75,000 grant award from the EDA Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program to conduct a Broadband feasibility study in the County and committed $75,000 for the 50% County match required by the grant. The previously approved Resolution 013-2016 states that improved Broadband service fits strongly within the County’s Economic Development Strategic Plan and that building Broadband capacity in the County is “a way to create and retain jobs, educate and retain students, and position the County in the 21st-century economy.”
A technical advisory group was also formed to assist with technical expertise in the area of Broadband policy and infrastructure. This group included members from non-profit organizations with special interests in Broadband technology and stakeholder community members.
On January 3, 2017, the Chief A...
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