Grant County coalition eyes fiber to Seneca; Community Connect grant and federal funding could support buildout

Director Josh Walker reported at the Sept. 11 meeting that the Grant County Digital Coalition held its initial meetings, organized governance and scope, and has the Community Connect grant as the immediate funding opportunity focused on Seneca. Walker said the John Day area had been awarded $1.8 million under prior activity that informed the current planning.

Walker emphasized the Community Connect program's matching requirement: "The Community Connect Grant is a matching fund grant that requires 15% match of the amount awarded," and said match funds for an anticipated $3 million-plus project would be drawn from the initial grant. He also noted a newly funded federal program providing up to $6 million for similar projects that could expand funding options.

If successful, the plan would extend a fiber line from John Day toward the Grant–Harney county line with Seneca prioritized for early service on the new network. Councilors asked for continued updates as grant and engineering details solidify.