Sullivan County says broadband construction underway under $30M state grant; plans to reach 22,480 locations

County IT staff updated the committee on a state-funded broadband deployment that the presenter said is now under construction. "After 13 months of administrative nightmare, we finally have a signed grama disbursement agreement... that allows us to be able to get reimbursed for what we're about to do," Lauren told the committee, showing a 578-page GDA. She said conduit work began Oct. 23 at roughly 8:30 AM and that so far about 3.7 miles of conduit have been installed toward a project footprint that will ultimately require far more.

The county is pursuing a New York State municipal infrastructure grant with a $30,000,000 maximum ask. Lauren summarized the project design: 22,480 service locations targeted; at least 51% of locations will receive fiber capable of at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload (the state’s symmetric 100x100 minimum); about 32% will be served with a 100x100 fixed-wireless solution where terrain or cost prevents fiber; higher-capacity "gig" plans will be available where feasible. She emphasized that upload speed is critical for telework, telehealth and education and that the plan balances long-term viability with maximizing addressable locations.

Lauren said the present funding round covers roughly 55% of county addresses; additional phases would expand coverage. She warned of permit-related constraints — particularly utility pole permitting — and said the county is favoring underground conduit along county roads where possible to speed the work. The state-imposed deadline for the grant work is Dec. 31, 2026, which the presenter said creates a tight construction timeline.

Committee members asked about public safety uses; Lauren said the project is primarily for private internet service (not a public-safety radio network), though fixed stations such as firehouses could use service with extra arrangements. She also said the county will publish a public lookup tool to show construction status and upcoming work.