2024-09-23-minutes-public-works-and-cds-study-session

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to compete in a digital world and global economy. Due to the rural nature of the County, closing the digital divide will be necessary. High -Cost areas are unserved areas in which the cost of building out broadband service is higher, as compared with the average cost of broadband buildout. Factors of high -cost areas include remote nature; lack of population density; unique topography; poverty rate in the area. Recognizing that high-speed internet (Broadband) is essential infrastructure and there are gaps in availability across the County the County has taken the lead to expand broadband deployment. Kittitas County adopted Resolution 2023-072 establishing policy standards for broadband infrastructure expansion under the authority of Kittitas County. Funding has become available to help provide broadband infrastructure. This funding is focused on unserved and underserved broadband serviceable locations (BSL) located in the rural areas of the County. With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Congress established the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD). This is to be administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Eight project areas have been identified and set up by the State Broadband Office. Each project area requires a separate application to BEAD. Of the eight locations, four have been identified as viable within the County. Viability has been determined by estimating what the private sector might be able to serve without additional assistance. BEAD is an opportunity to provide effective and cost-efficient backbone to communication to the farthest parts of the County. This is a method to build the backbone infrastructure. To apply will require resources. Kittitas County has been an active participant in the discussions for broadband expansion. Utilizing the technical expertise of our Consultant, the County is in position to obtain funding. BEAD rules are being finalized. It is expected that more than one round of grant applications will be made available for submittal to the BEAD program. Having been involved and with the Consultants assistance, Kittitas County is positioned to have applications for the first round of funding. There is potential that based on the number of applications submitted, funding will not be available in the second or subsequent rounds of funding. BEAD Estimate for Kittitas County - $ 40,199,700 WA State Matching Funds (25%) - $ 10,049,925 Provider matching funds (5%) - $ 2,009,985 Kittitas County Match (2.5%) - $ 1,004,992 BEAD indirect fee can be taken by Kittitas County, estimated to be 2-6%.