Resolution_Broadband Application Authorization (2)

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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF KITTITAS STATE OF WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO.2025 - AUTHORIZING APPLICATIONS FOR SEVEN PROJECT AREAS IN KITTITAS COUNTY TO THE WASHINGTON STATE BROADBAND OFFICE FOR THE BROADBAND EQUITY ACCESS DEPLOYMENT (BEAD) GRANT PROGRAM ROUND 3 IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF UP TO $60,000,000. WHEREAS: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has awarded Washington State $1.2 Billion in funding for broadband deployment under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD); and WHEREAS: In 2019, under RCW 43.330.532, the Washington State Department of Commerce created the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) to administer Broadband Infrastructure Programs; and WHEREAS: The Washington State legislature has approved funding to support a twenty-five (25) percent match to Federal BEAD funding for qualifying public projects to fulfill the match contribution requirement for BEAD applications (WSBO Match); and WHEREAS: Kittitas County is qualified to apply for this match funding; and WHEREAS: Collectively, BEAD and the WSBO Match shall be referred to herein as the "Grants"; and WHEREAS: Kittitas County has partnered with broadband service providers to apply to WSBO for BEAD funding to build broadband networks in Kittitas County; and WHEREAS: WSBO has planned three rounds of grant applications for BEAD funding; and WHEREAS: Kittitas County submitted applications for BEAD funding for Round 1 and 2 and received notice of provisional awards; and WHEREAS: The NTIA has revised their project criteria, resulting in all provisional awards to be rescinded and a third round of applications, identified as "Benefit of the Bargain" round to be submitted; and WHEREAS: Kittitas County has seven project areas eligible to submit applications to WSBO for the current process to obtain BEAD funding; and WHEREAS: The Grant requires an authorizing resolution of the Board of County Commissioners prior to submitting applications for project areas; and WHEREAS: Grants require a Performance Bond equal to seventy-five (75) percent of project cost; and WHEREAS: The cost of the Performance Bond is a qualified expense for reimbursement under the grant, if awarded. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners, in the best interest of the public, does hereby authorize submittal of up to seven (7) project area applications in WSBO Round 3, Benefit of the Bargain, of the BEAD Grant program, and if awarded and accept grant funding up to $60,000,000 for project areas; and