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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 26, 2022 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-a <br /> SUBJECT: Approval of a Network Development Agreement for Broadband Deployment <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Contract with North State Communications <br /> Advanced Services, LLC Travis Myren, 919-245-2308 <br /> A. Service Area Map James Bryan, 919-245-2319 <br /> B. Mutually Agreed Service Sites (138 <br /> Page Document Only Available <br /> Electronically at: <br /> www.orangecountync.gov/servicesites) <br /> C. Construction Plan and Timeline <br /> D. ARPA Sub-recipient Agreement <br /> E. Customer Service Quality Metrics <br /> F. County Sites Served <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a Network Development Agreement with North State Communications <br /> Advanced Services, LLC to deploy broadband service in unserved locations in Orange County <br /> and to allocate an additional $5 million, for a total of $10 million, in American Rescue Plan Act <br /> funds to fully fund the Agreement. <br /> BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for households in Orange <br /> County to have access to broadband internet, which is defined as 25 megabits per second (mbps) <br /> download speed and 3 mbps upload speed Broadband has become a necessity to fully participate <br /> in educational instruction, commerce, and civic life. This need is particularly acute in the rural <br /> parts of Orange County where low density impedes the ability of internet service providers to <br /> recover the cost of a significant capital investment. <br /> In recognition of this need, the Board of Commissioners created a Broadband Task Force in <br /> November of 2020. The Task Force was charged with discussing broadband solutions that will <br /> improve the quality of high speed internet services to Orange County residents and to recommend <br /> a plan to the Board of Orange County Commissioners that will expand reliable high speed internet <br /> services to all county residents and businesses. The Task Force is co-chaired by Commissioners <br /> Sally Greene and Earl McKee and includes representation from the County Manager's Office, <br /> both School Districts, Durham Technical Community College, and five at-large community <br /> members. <br />