AGENDA DATE: 10/19/2022
TITLE:
Title
Albemarle Broadband Authority Quarterly Report
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Receive the Albemarle Broadband Authority Quarterly Report
ITEM TYPE: Consent Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Henry, Culp, Fritz
PRESENTER (S): Mike Culp; Bucky Walsh, Albemarle Broadband Authority Chair
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Albemarle Broadband Authority (ABBA) was incorporated on August 21, 2017, to extend affordable broadband internet service access to every customer in Albemarle County. This quarterly report is being provided as information on ABBA’s work from July - September 2022.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure Investment - Prioritize, plan and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
DISCUSSION: ABBA held nine public meetings in 2022. The ABBA agendas and meeting minutes are posted for public review on the County’s website.
During this quarter, ABBA continued its work to activate a $2,276,110.00 award in state-provided grant funds through the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI). The 18-month fiber program will install over 80 miles of fiber to provide the opportunity for 1,675 locations to connect to fiber internet. Six of the nine project areas are providing fiber broadband service to community members. The project is expected to continue through the fall of 2022 and ABBA is expecting approval from the Department of Housing and Community Development to extend the period of performance to March 31, 2023.
The VATI 2022 application is being led by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission and Firefly Fiber Broadband, for a thirteen County project. ABBA committed $4.368 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as part of the application matching funds. The project, when complete, will offer fiber broadband service to nearly every rural parcel in Albemarle County. The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission and Firefly Fiber Broadband worked this period with VATI staff and signed the contract documents. Schedules will be developed and ABBA, through the work of the Broadband Accessibility and Affordability Office, will begin providing community updates.
During the next reporting period (October through December 2022) ABBA will continue to monitor and support broadband expansion projects and plans to complete work on an update to its strategic plan.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no expected budget impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board receive this report for information.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Status Report