Agenda - 12-10-2024; 6-c - Amendment to the Network Development Agreement for Broadband Deployment with Lumos to Extend the Project Deadlines

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2 The County has complied with the first ARPA deadline by committing ARPA funding through the contract with Lumos by December 31, 2024. The final deadline to spend the ARPA funding is December 31, 2026, so this contract amendment does not jeopardize the availability of ARPA funding. To date, Lumos has installed 407.5 route miles of fiber in Orange County. This network is available to 13,964 total homes including 3,236 previously unserved and underserved homes contained in the agreement. Lumos expects an additional 900 unserved and underserved homes will be added in December 2024, an additional 750 homes will be added in the first quarter of 2025, and the final 1,484 contracted homes are expected to have service available upon successful completion of the project by December 2025. The original Lumos project did not reach all of the unserved and underserved homes in the County. These areas have been referred to as doughnut holes where approximately 600 unserved and underserved homes are located. The County has consulted with the North Carolina Division of Broadband and Digital Equity, and the most likely funding solution to serve those homes will be through the Broadband Equity and Deployment (BEAD) Program which has the goal of reaching 100% of unserved and underserved homes. The funding process for the BEAD program is expected to begin in Fall of 2025. County staff will provide updates as more details become available. FINANCIAL IMPACT: This amendment revises the timing of the final $6 million ARPA payment to Lumos. It does not change the contract amount. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 5: PUBLIC EDUCATION/LEARNING COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 2. Improve school readiness and educational outcomes by providing access, training, tools, technology, and other resources needed to thrive. OBJECTIVE 3. Provide support for workforce development through training, tools, technology, and other resources. • GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY OBJECTIVE 5. Increase access to and awareness of resources and assistance available to residents and businesses. OBJECTIVE 6. Provide workforce and business development resources to enhance the skills of residents of the County. • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life of the community (e.g., recreation and public open spaces, arts, etc.) RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the amendment and authorize the Manager to execute the amendment and any other related documents.