Washington County has stepped into the ring to champion high-speed internet access, rolling out a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for broadband expansion, especially for those on the fringes of our digital world, as reflected in their March 2023 countywide broadband study; they're aiming the digital divide head-on.
This funding initiative is part of a concerted effort to support Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in securing money through the Oregon Broadband Infrastructure Development (BEAD) Program and Washington County is offering up matching funds to sweeten the deal for ISPs that are prequalified by the BEAD program, and they're doing this through a set formula per location that hinges on the prerequisite of BEAD funding being secure, looking for those bids that'll serve school districts, connect the most people, boast thoughtful design, and have the backing of significant community players like anchor institutions.
In the practical steps ahead, ISPs need to scrutinize the NOFO – detailing the Broadband Infrastructure Development BEAD Program Match Funding – and chime in with their feedback or inquiries by the impending deadline of 5 pm on May 2nd, they're urged to submit their questions here and follow through by submitting a comprehensive questionnaire by 5 pm on May 5th, which each ISP must do for every district grant area where they propose a project to the Oregon Broadband Office’s Bead Program.
Washington County doesn't take lightly the need for high-speed internet to be a universal staple and they express their appreciation for the partnerships that push the advancement of broadband access; if additional clarification is needed, Kiersten Vanderhoof is the go-to contact at [email protected], confirming the county's dedication to a more connected tomorrow for all its inhabitants.
