Fannin County commissioners have agreed to put some “skin in the game” in hopes that countless county residents might someday be able to receive new, or improved, internet service.
Chairman Jamie Hensley and commissioners Johnny Scearce and Glenn Patterson have agreed to provide up to $15,000 toward each of two broadband grants being sought by the county’s Economic Development Authority. The authority would act as a pass-through agency for the money going to the broadband providers, Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation and ETC.
The commissioners had previously given their approval supporting the development authority’s effort to pursue a grant for Blue Ridge Mountain EMC. Their support for the ETC grant effort, along with their financial commitment, came at their regular meeting Tuesday, August 10.
Christie Gribble, executive director of the county’s Economic Development Authority, presented broadband plans.
The first was for the commissioners to approve the broadband amendments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan. Moving forward with the amendments was previously okayed and those amendments were sent to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, which also approved them. The final step was adoption by the commissioners, which was unanimous.
Following the vote, Gribble said, “Tomorrow I can apply for Fannin County to be broadband ready,” the goal of the state for every county.
Gribble then presented a request for the commissioners to pass a resolution backing an ETC broadband grant request. ETC’s broadband expansion would involve a different area of the county than the grant being applied for by Blue Ridge Mountain EMC.
Frankie Rigdon, vice president of operations at ETC, said, “We don’t have a specific location yet,” or an exact dollar amount of the grant request.
He explained areas are still being studied to determine how many locations can be served for the least amount of money. This includes working toward a goal of where “a lot more population helps us” in applying for the grant, Rigdon said.
Seeking a resolution before all the details are completed was necessary because of the grant timing. Rigdon said the application period opened August 1 and will close August 31. It’s the quickest turnaround time for a grant application he has ever seen.
After commissioners unanimously approved a supporting resolution, Gribble discussed the possibility of contributing funds to help acquire the grants.
She stressed that with both grants neither the service provider or the county is required to contribute any money. However, a promise of a financial contribution to broadband expansion would help the chances of the grants being received.
She said Blue Ridge Mountain EMC is planning a 10% contribution toward the $1.4 million grant it is seeking. ETC has also indicated it will contribute some level of matching funds in its proposal.
With that in mind, Gribble suggested the county consider 1% toward each of the grants.
It was determined any funds the county agreed to contribute could come from CARES Act money, which has to be used for infrastructure improvements: water, sewer or broadband.
Learning the money would not come directly from county funds, Scearce said, “I feel like the rat that got the biggest Cheeto out of the bag.” That comment brought laughter, followed by the commissions unanimous approval for up to $15,000 for each grant.