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KITTITAS COUNTY <br /> DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br /> PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br /> STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br /> STUDY SESSION DATE: December 23, 2024 <br /> TOPIC: Broadband Planning Update <br /> ACTION REQUESTED: None Required <br /> LEAD STAFF: <br /> Joshua Fredrickson <br /> RECOMMENDATION: <br /> No action required. <br /> BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br /> • Two grants have been awarded to Kittitas County for broadband expansion <br /> • Plan development for the Thorp and Edgemont areas is underway <br /> • Contract is being developed for the second project award <br /> • A third grant source is available to the County through the National <br /> Telecommunications and Information Administration Broadband Equity Access <br /> and Deployment Program (BEAD) <br /> • Applications due January 31, 2025 <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> Kittitas County has been awarded two grants to help expand broadband (high speed <br /> internet) in the County. Funding includes a grant through the Public Works Board (PWB) <br /> and another through the Washington State Broadband Office(WSBO). Additional <br /> funding for broadband expansion is available through the National Telecommunications <br /> and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Equity Access and Deployment <br /> (BEAD) Program. Public Works has been working with the County's broadband <br /> consultant for development of broadband expansion phases. <br /> DISCUSSION: <br /> Project funding to expand broadband service to rural portions of the county is available <br /> through the Public Works Board, Washington State Broadband Office and the NTIA. <br /> Funding has been secured through two sources and being sought through the third. <br /> The project funded through PWB will expand broadband service to areas of Thorp and <br /> Edgemont. Design and permitting is underway for this project area. Expansion of <br />