AGENDA DATE: 5/5/2021
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. This quarterly report is being provided as information on ABBA's work from January through March 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 3 public meetings and one closed session meeting in 2021. The ABBA agendas and meeting minutes are posted for public review on the County's website.
During this quarter, ABBA received notice of a $2,276,110.00 award in state provided grant funds. The 18-month fiber program will install over 120 miles of fiber to provide the opportunity for 1,675 locations to connect to fiber internet.
ABBA is managing a VATI 2020 project with CenturyLink that is offering fiber broadband service options to 837 locations in the county. CenturyLink and ABBA continue to answer questions about the 8 projects involved and to be completed no later than May 14, 2021. Since Albemarle County started focusing on and investing in broadband, ABBA and its partner ISPs have been able to facilitate 3,744 connections and are hopeful that at least another 3,731 connections will be facilitated during 2021.
During the next reporting period (April through June 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:
Recommendation
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