AGENDA DATE: 11/3/2021
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 2021.
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 has held eight public meetings and two closed session meetings in 2021. 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.
ABBA worked with staff in efforts to submit a thirteen County VATI 2022 application with the Thomas Jefferson Planning District and Firefly Fiber Broadband. The application, submitted on September 14, 2021, includes 13 counties. The application proposes a broadband fiber project, which if funded, will support every rural location in Albemarle with access to fiber broadband. ABBA committed $4.368 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as part of the application matching funds.
During the next reporting period (October - December 2021), ABBA will continue its work partnering with the County, ISPs, and others to add broadband service in the County rural areas.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no expected budget impact.
RECOMMENDATION: ecommendation
Staff recommends that the Board receive this report for information.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Status Report