Broadband nearing countywide coverage; Soil & Water cites large Bay-runoff reductions The Lancaster Broadband Authority said the build will cover roughly 892 homes and proposed a reduced county funding request as the project moves to cleanup; the Northern Neck Soil and Water Conservation District reported living-shoreline projects, large household hazardous-waste collections and regional agricultural cost-share funding.

Lancaster County is on the brink of broadband expansion, reaching nearly 900 homes while simultaneously achieving remarkable conservation milestones!

Click to read more!

#LancasterCounty #VA #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalInitiatives

Frontier tells Baltimore Village it plans village-wide fiber build; PUCO and FCC approvals required for copper retirement Frontier Communications told council it plans to deploy fiber throughout Baltimore Village and nearby areas, offering a 200+ Mbps symmetrical tier at $29.99/month and higher tiers; company said PUCO and FCC approvals will be needed before retiring the copper network.

Frontier Communications is set to revolutionize Baltimore Village with a high-speed fiber upgrade, offering speeds over 200 Mbps for just $29.99/month!

Click to read more!

#OH #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #DigitalInclusion #InfrastructureModernization

BZA approves 190-foot communications tower near observatory, bars tower lighting The Board approved a special exception for a 190-foot, self-supporting communications tower at 8446 North Observatory Road to support Morgan County 911 redundancy and broadband, adding a condition that the tower carry no lighting that would affect the nearby observatory.

A new 190-foot communications tower is set to rise in Morgan County, but with a crucial condition: no lights that could disrupt the nearby observatory's stargazing!

Learn more here

#MorganCounty #IN #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #MorganCountyCommunications

Chair opens House hearing to review Telecommunications Act of 1996 and ask whether laws fit the broadband era The chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce opened a hearing to assess the Telecommunications Act of 1996, highlighting its role in deregulation, universal service, and Section 230’s foundational role for the internet, and asking witnesses whether federal communications law should be modernized for broadband and digital platforms.

Congress is diving into a 30-year review of the landmark Telecommunications Act of 1996 to see if our communication laws can keep up with today's digital world.

Get the details!

#US #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #TelecommunicationsReform #DigitalPolicy

Senate confirms five reappointments to Maine Connectivity Authority, praises broadband gains The Maine Senate confirmed five reappointments to the Maine Connectivity Authority, including President Andrew Butcher, and members highlighted the authority's work connecting an estimated 135,000 new funded locations since 2022. Multiple roll-call votes recorded and nominations were ordered sent to the House for concurrence.

The Maine Senate has confirmed five key reappointments to the Maine Connectivity Authority, highlighting a remarkable achievement of connecting 135,000 new locations to the Internet since 2022.

Get the details!

#ME #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #MaineConnectivity #RemoteConnections

4 Corners Economic Development lays out recruitment, housing and broadband efforts to Aztec commission Tim Gibbs, CEO of 4 Corners Economic Development, told the Aztec City Commission the organization is pursuing site recruitment, workforce development and broadband projects, highlighted a 110-page county housing study with Aztec-specific data and noted a $36,000 seed grant to kickstart local work.

Tim Gibbs revealed ambitious plans for economic growth in Aztec, focusing on attracting new employers, enhancing housing affordability, and boosting broadband access.

Click to read more!

#AztecSanJuanCounty #NM #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #HousingAffordability #AztecEconomicDevelopment

Committee recommends confirmation of Carlos Barrio Nuevo to Maine Connectivity Authority At a public hearing, the joint standing committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology voted 9–0 to recommend that the Senate confirm Carlos Barrio Nuevo of Georgetown for reappointment to the Maine Connectivity Authority, emphasizing continued work on affordability, middle‑mile infrastructure and digital skills.

The Maine Connectivity Authority is set for a promising future as Senator Mark Lawrence's committee unanimously backs Carlos Barrio Nuevo for reappointment, aiming to bridge digital divides and enhance community connectivity.

Click to read more!

#ME #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal

Committee advances telecom overhaul to update decades‑old telephone laws for broadband era Senate File 4496, supported by the Minnesota Telecom Alliance and the Department of Commerce, would modernize state telecom statutes, remove obsolete telephone-era requirements and align state law with federal rules to reduce barriers to broadband deployment. The committee recommended the bill to general orders.

Minnesota is taking a bold step into the future by advancing a bill that will eliminate outdated telecom regulations and pave the way for a broadband-driven marketplace.

Click to read more!

#MN #TechnologyModernization #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #MinnesotaTelecom #RegulatoryReform

Economic development report: Beale Farm site work, broadband nearing county completion Franklin–Southampton Economic Development reported a $223,000 site-readiness grant for Beale Farm (about $199,235 reimbursed to date), progress on a Go Virginia grant, and broadband build progress (4,931 passings completed, 169 remaining), with several projects expected to finish by the end of the fiscal year.

Southampton County is on the fast track to economic growth with significant funding and progress in site readiness and broadband expansion!

Learn more here

#SouthamptonCounty #VA #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #AgricultureSupport

Tanana Chiefs Conference tells House committee BEAD scoring disadvantaged tribal fiber proposals Tanana Chiefs Conference argued that an NTIA restructuring removed a fiber preference and prioritized lowest upfront cost, leading to rejected tribal fiber proposals; TCC warned microwave and satellite options carry higher lifetime operations and subsidy costs and urged the committee to consider total cost of ownership and tribal ownership in future decisions.

The Tanana Chiefs Conference reveals how a recent policy change jeopardized $123 million in tribal fiber proposals, warning that microwave and satellite options could lead to higher long-term costs for Alaska's remote communities.

Get the details!

#AK #CivicAccountability #BroadbandAccess

GCI, Alaska Communications and Pacific DataPort present projects and urge planning for operations, workforce and middle‑mile needs GCI, Alaska Communications and Pacific DataPort described BEAD‑funded projects—GCI’s $115 million IHUC expansion, ACS’s $124.5 million state award with private investment, and Pacific DataPort’s satellite solutions—and urged planning for maintenance, workforce training and middle‑mile resilience as BEAD moves to implementation.

Major Alaska providers are set to transform connectivity with over $239 million in BEAD awards, but challenges in maintenance and workforce training loom large.

Learn more here!

#AK #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureInvestment #AlaskaCommunities #WorkforceDevelopment

Joint committee recommends confirmation of five Maine Connectivity Authority reappointments The Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology voted to recommend reappointment of five members to the Maine Connectivity Authority, including president Andrew Butcher, following testimony from the governor's office, the nominees and industry supporters. Votes were recorded by roll call for each nominee.

The Maine Connectivity Authority is set for a leadership boost as the Joint Standing Committee recommends the reappointment of five key members, including President Andrew Butcher, to amplify broadband access across the state.

Read the full story

#ME #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal

Broadband Access, Internet Use, and General Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Longitudinal Study Background: Internet use may support cognitive health in aging populations, but the digital divide in access and use might worsen inequalities. Objective: This study aimed to examine whether internet use mediates the long-term relationship between broadband access and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults in China. Methods: Using 3-wave data (2015‐2020) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N=6063), we applied parallel-process latent growth curve models to analyze trajectories of broadband access, internet use, and general cognition, adjusting for sociodemographic and time-varying covariates. Results: Baseline broadband access predicted initial internet use (β=0.453;

New in JMIR Aging: Broadband Access, Internet Use, and General Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Longitudinal Study #DigitalDivide #CognitiveHealth #BroadbandAccess #InternetUse #AgingPopulation

Join us this Wednesday in Washington, DC for the 2026 Tech & Telecom Policy Outlook.

AI, spectrum, broadband, and media—key conversations shaping the year ahead.

📍 CTIA
🗓 March 25 | ⏰ 12–1:30 PM

Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-tech-...

#HTTPPolicy #TechPolicy #BroadbandAccess #DigitalEquity

Lunenburg supervisors approve broadband contract, ARPA tower funding and routine warrants At its Feb. 10 meeting the Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors accepted a Kinex Telecom broadband proposal, earmarked ARPA funds to build two radio towers for the county radio system, approved routine payroll/warrants and made a board appointment; several funding requests will be reviewed further.

Lunenburg County is set to boost its connectivity and communication infrastructure with a unanimous vote to fund a broadband project and construct two new radio towers!

Get the details

#LunenburgCounty #VA #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunications #EconomicDevelopment

Charlotte County supervisors unanimously enter closed session to discuss siting agreement and broadband grant negotiations At a June 13, 2022 special meeting, the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to hold a closed session to consult legal counsel about a proposed siting agreement with Randolph Virginia, LLC and to negotiate terms of a broadband grant agreement involving Empower Broadband, Inc. and RiverStreet Communications of Virginia, Inc.; the board later certified the closed meeting and adjourned.

Charlotte County supervisors have taken a significant step towards enhancing local broadband services by entering a closed session to discuss critical agreements with key providers.

Learn more here

#CharlotteCounty #VA #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #CivicTransparency #PublicContracting

Broadband provider seeks county pandemic funds as it outlines $8.25 million local investment TEC told the Benton County Commission it built service to about 300 locations in 2020 and plans 87 miles of new fiber to reach roughly 1,200 more locations in Q3 2021, asking the county to earmark pandemic-relief funds for local broadband infrastructure.

TEC is set to invest over $8.25 million in Benton County to expand broadband access, aiming to connect 1,200 more locations—will the county step up with pandemic-relief funds?

Click to read more!

#BentonCounty #TN #BroadbandAccess #DigitalDivide #LocalGovAI #InfrastructureInvestment

Coffee County commissioners approve CDBG application, two road abandonments and broadband plan amendment; table dump truck bids At the April 4, 2022 Coffee County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board unanimously approved a FY2022 CDBG application for Jacobs Circle and Daniel Way, approved two road-abandonment resolutions, advanced an amendment to a TAD lending agreement and approved a broadband plan amendment; bids for two dump trucks were tabled.

Coffee County is paving the way for progress with a unanimous vote to enhance local streets and improve drainage, while also advancing a broadband initiative!

Click to read more!

#CoffeeCounty #GA #BroadbandAccess #InfrastructureImprovements #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment

Madison County board adopts ARPA reporting guidelines for $25.5 million first tranche The Madison County Board directed Ernst & Young to prepare Treasury reports and adopted scoring guidelines to prioritize projects for the county's $25,539,031.50 first tranche of American Rescue Plan Act funding, emphasizing broadband, stormwater, sewer and county-owned infrastructure.

Madison County is set to transform its infrastructure and economy with a strategic $25.5 million investment, prioritizing projects that matter most to residents!

Click to read more!

#MadisonCounty #IL #BroadbandAccess #MadisonCountyInfrastructure #CybersecurityInitiatives #CitizenPortal

Franklin County commissioners unanimously approve 2021–22 appropriations, land sale and $125,000 ARP broadband grant At their July 19 meeting, Franklin County commissioners approved the 2021–22 appropriations and tax levy, authorized sale of 27.80 acres in the industrial park, approved an $8,000 budget tweak to make a custodial position full‑time, and allocated $125,000 in ARP funds to a Huntland broadband project. All motions passed 16–0.

Franklin County commissioners made waves by unanimously approving a $125,000 broadband grant and a major land sale during their recent meeting!

Click to read more!

#FranklinCounty #TN #BroadbandAccess #FranklinCountyBudget #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #EconomicDevelopment

Palmetto Electric, Dominion update Bluffton council on trimming, upgrades and local projects Utility representatives told Bluffton council their reliability work includes routine tree trimming, hundreds of transformer replacements, expanded broadband partnerships and completion of the Hardeeville–Bluffton transmission line; Palmetto Electric also highlighted a $1.2 million contribution to the Don Ryan Center.

Bluffton is gearing up for a brighter future as Palmetto Electric and Dominion Energy unveil major utility upgrades, including hundreds of transformer replacements and expanded broadband access!

Click to read more!

#BeaufortCounty #SC #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #DisasterResilience

Resident warns of data-center threats as commissioners review health-care incentive wording and a broadband contract A resident urged stronger municipal protections against data centers and said Madison Township has prepared an ordinance several towns are adopting; commissioners also discussed clarifying language for an incentive to recruit advanced-practice providers and noted a broadband fiber purchase contract listed on the agenda.

A resident's passionate plea for stronger local protections against data centers has sparked a crucial conversation among Salem County commissioners about safeguarding community interests.

Learn more here!

#SalemCounty #NJ #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #CommunityProtection

Board reviews capital improvement plan with broadband final payment, vehicle replacements and voting‑equipment contingency County staff presented a capital improvement plan that includes a planned final broadband payment of $2 million, placeholders for a joint facilities building and animal shelter, vehicle and equipment replacement schedules, a $450,000 ambulance payment projected in FY27 and contingency funding for school radios and emergency equipment. The registrar also flagged potential state‑mandated voting equipment in FY27.

Essex County is gearing up for major upgrades with a $2 million broadband payment and plans for new vehicles, an animal shelter, and voting equipment—are you ready for the changes?

Get the details!

#EssexCounty #VA #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #InfrastructureDevelopment

Andalusia council approves C Spire franchise to support federally funded middle‑mile fiber The Andalusia City Council on March 3 approved a franchise agreement with C Spire to support a federally funded, roughly 677‑mile middle‑mile fiber project that company officials said will include redundant routes through Andalusia and operate as an open‑access, non‑discriminatory network.

Andalusia is set to transform its internet landscape with a new fiber network that promises improved reliability and redundancy for residents and businesses alike!

Click to read more!

#AL #BroadbandAccess #InfrastructureDevelopment

Many rural communities still lack reliable internet.
That limits opportunity.

Check out a representative who will fight for you at jenwilesnchouse.com

#DidYouKnow #BroadbandAccess #RuralNC #Infrastructure #JenWilesForNC

Yuma County approves LATCF interest use to advance fiber and AgTech wireless towers The Board authorized use of unallocated LATCF interest/funds to help extend fiber to fixed‑wireless towers and advanced construction of an AgTech wireless network; county staff noted ARPA and state grants already fund most work and construction is underway.

Yuma County is taking a giant leap toward better connectivity with a $5.4 million investment in AgTech wireless towers and fiber, aiming to enhance rural internet access and support innovative farming technologies.

Read the full story

#YumaCounty #AZ #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal

LCRA TSC approves three capital projects including new 138 kV substation and broadband easement amendments The board approved three projects: a La Sima 138 kV substation (est. $16.4M, completion Dec. 31, 2026), a Sakset substation upgrade (est. $18.8M, completion Dec. 31, 2026), and a broadband easement enhancement to amend rights on about 540 parcels (est. $7.5M, completion Dec. 31, 2027), funded in part by Texas Broadband grant funds.

LCRA TSC just greenlit three major projects, including a new $16.4M substation and a vital broadband upgrade, set to enhance Texas's energy and communication landscape!

Click to read more!

#TX #BroadbandAccess #CitizenPortal #EnergyReliability #TexasElectricity #InfrastructureDevelopment

Beaufort County adopts Mideast Regional Digital Inclusion Plan, encourages grant pursuit The board voted to adopt a regional digital‑inclusion plan produced by the Mideast Commission; the plan (389 survey responses) sets targets such as 200/20 Mbps minimum service and identifies grant‑ready projects; adoption does not obligate county funds but enables grant applications and letters of support.

Beaufort County has officially adopted a bold new plan to ensure every household has access to reliable internet speeds of 200 Mbps, paving the way for enhanced digital equity in the region.

Learn more here!

#BeaufortCounty #NC #BroadbandAccess #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal

Willmar council approves framework for $9.2 million tax‑abatement to finance open‑access fiber network The Willmar City Council held public hearings and approved an ordinance and a city‑only tax‑abatement resolution authorizing up to $9.2 million in general obligation tax‑abatement bonds to help finance an open‑access fiber broadband project; council members asked about parcel selection, owner consent and levy impacts.

Willmar City Council has just approved a groundbreaking $9.2 million tax-abatement to finance a high-speed fiber-optic broadband network that promises to transform connectivity in the community.

Learn more here!

#WillmarCityKandiyohiCounty #MN #BroadbandAccess #PublicInfrastructure

County executive touts housing projects, broadband planning, microenterprise grants and tourism revival The County Executive highlighted housing openings and projects (a 40-unit Dutch Hollow community and 'EcoFlats' net-zero apartments), new rounds of microenterprise grants to help 12 local businesses, restored tourism grants, and a broadband planning process supported by New York State’s Connect All office with a public workshop scheduled for Feb. 25.

Montgomery County is on the rise with new housing developments, grants for local businesses, and a push for better broadband access to enhance community life!

Learn more here

#MontgomeryCounty #NY #BroadbandAccess #TourismGrowth #CitizenPortal #MontgomeryCountyHousing #EconomicDevelopment