Consent 2.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Board of Supervisors
- Meeting Date:
- 08/13/2024
- Title:
- Approve a Letter to the State Broadband Director Requesting a Waiver for BEAD Funding in RDOF Locations
- Submitted By:
- Dan Coxworth, Development Services
- Department:
- Development Services
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
1
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Unknown
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Unknown
Docket Number (If applicable):
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve a letter to the State Broadband Director, Sandip Bhowmick, requesting the State's support and submission to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) a waiver that would allow Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding to be used for all areas in Cochise County designated under the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program.
Background:
BEAD funding is currently not allowed in designated RDOF areas in Cochise County. The selected RDOF awardee for Cochise County has shown limited progress and is at high risk of default, which prevents numerous unserved and underserved areas from qualifying for BEAD funding. This significantly impacts the ability to achieve universal broadband coverage in most of Cochise County and exacerbates the digital divide.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Development Services will mail the signed letter to the State Broadband Director
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
If the support letter is not approved, it is less likely that RDOF areas in Cochise County and across the State will not qualify for BEAD funding.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
I will pick up the signed letter after approval.