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19 <br /> A larger initiative in terms of dollars, but at this time only tangentially related to broadband, <br /> is the County's Fiber Project Phase 1. Currently, the County is partnering with the Town of <br /> Hillsborough in order to reduce costs for both parties. The County and Town are currently in <br /> the process of vendor selection after successfully releasing an RFP in November 2017. <br /> Phase 1 was funded in Fiscal Year 2017-18, and Phases 2 & 3 are planned in upcoming <br /> fiscal years. <br /> Once complete, this project will connect County buildings from Cedar Grove to Carrboro <br /> and have fiber running east-west along the Highway 70 corridor connecting from the Efland <br /> Cheeks Community Center to points close to the Durham County line. The excess dark <br /> fiber will be available to other organizations and individuals outside of Orange County <br /> Government for both broadband and economic development purposes. This project is <br /> currently waiting for Town of Hillsborough Board of Commissioners approval. <br /> County IT staff has also attended and presented at multiple community meetings. Orange <br /> County IT attended and presented at the Schley Grange along with Internet Service <br /> Providers and State representatives, including NC House Representative Graig Meyer. <br /> Information Technologies has also been acting as a clearinghouse for all resident <br /> broadband service issue concerns. Typically, staff responds to every Orange County <br /> resident email and call personally and tries to facilitate solutions between residents and <br /> ISPs while at the same time setting realistic expectations. Often this is simply a matter of <br /> connecting residents with the right person in the ISP's organization and, after making <br /> introductions, checking back in to ensure that all parties are communicating effectively. <br /> Jim Northrup said phase 2 of this endeavor will focus on the southern portion of the <br /> County, and Chatham County. He said including parts of Chatham County is an <br /> engineered solution that was contracted with this vendor to do. He said he has spoken with <br /> Chatham County twice, who is looking to put some towers in northern Chatham County, <br /> which will bleed over into Chapel Hill. He said this should be a reciprocal relationship. <br /> Timeline of Relevant Events Past, Present and Future (Reverse Chronological Order) <br /> • October 2021 —A 36-month pilot project will be complete and the Manager and <br /> staff will offer a final report to the Board <br /> • September 2019 — Potential Phase 2 start date. <br /> • May- July 2019—Verification of service across the entire Phase 1 area. Customers <br /> will be getting signed up and service delivered. <br /> • April 2019 — First Phase 1 customer will be signed up proving that initial equipment <br /> setup is working <br /> • March 2019 — Manager requests Board approval for Open Broadband tower <br /> agreement <br /> • October 2018 — Contract with Open Broadband was executed and the six-month <br /> clock to sign up the first customer and have them working begins. <br /> • September 2018 — Board approved awarding grant funds to Open Broadband. <br /> • May 2018— RFP is advertised as per the County Attorney's recommendation. <br />