Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
2 <br />federal grant and loan programs for funding to extend broadband services into the rural <br />underserved and un-served portions of Orange County. <br />At its December 15, 2009 meeting, the BOCC voted to approve acceptance of the <br />American Tower, Inc. response for free consulting resources for ARRA grant/loan <br />applications. Staff was directed to begin negotiations with American Tower, Inc. to <br />prepare the MOU. The MOU is to include completion of a grant or loan application to fund <br />new broadband service within the rural un-served portions of the County. Other areas will <br />be analyzed for inclusion into the Master Telecommunications Plan. <br />Presently, American Tower is requesting an `exclusive right to develop' agreement for <br />tower facilities on County lands. However, this would be time limited and American Tower <br />would have the first right to develop, and if not, then other agencies may proceed. <br />American Tower is a builder of vertical real estate (the tower) upon which broadband <br />service providers attach broadcasting equipment. One or more service providers will be <br />part of the grant /loan application that the BOCC will review and approve, if awarded. <br />County Needs: Orange County's broadband needs are many. First, universal public <br />safety communications are vital. The ability to communicate directly to all first responders <br />and the general public is essential. At present direct communications to the southern <br />most portion of the County is not possible, along with the White Cross, Caldwell and <br />Cedar Grove communities. Secondly, Information Technologies needs direct 'line -of- <br />sight' wireless communication with all schools, libraries and other County facilities to <br />ensure effective and efficient data sharing and information outreach. A majority of <br />residents in Little River, Cedar Grove and Bingham Townships do not have reliable <br />broadband service. Lastly, rural and urban economic development opportunities can be <br />enhanced. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: American Tower, Inc. will build at its own cost wireless support <br />structures (towers) for sites upon which broadband service providers will collocate if the <br />grant is not achieved. Public safety communications facilities will collocate on these sites <br />as needed. Depending on specific funding opportunities from ARRA or from private <br />market investment thresholds, specific location contracts will be brought forward to the <br />BOCC and/or parameters of such contracts will be agreed to. There is no required local <br />match for the grant/loan BIP program. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS: The Manager recommends the Board: <br />1. Authorize staff to apply for federal ARRA stimulus funds through the USDA Rural <br />Utilities Service (RUS) Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) to fund the extension of <br />broadband service into the un-served, rural portions of Orange County, <br />2. Approve the map of tower sites for inclusion into the Master Telecommunications <br />Plan and as the basis for the BIP grant application, <br />3. Direct staff to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding with American Tower, <br />Inc. regarding future County completion of a grant/loan application to fund new <br />broadband service within the rural underserved and un-served portions of the <br />County; and <br />4. Authorize the Chair to sign the MOU following completion of staff's work to finalize <br />the document. <br />