Mason County says fiber design complete and pole-permitting underway; federal funding application expected

County officials updated the fiscal court on the countywide broadband project at the Jan. 9 meeting, reporting progress on engineering and pole permitting and an expected round of state/federal funding in early 2024.

Court staff said Phase 1 (design and engineering) was completed in late summer and the project moved into Phase 2: pole permitting. Fleming-Mason RECC and a contracted inspector (the BOWLIN Group) will inspect electric-cooperative poles and begin attaching fiber for Charter and Spectrum under the countywide deployment plan. County leaders described the arrangement as a potential template other counties could follow.

County officials reiterated their financial pledge: a maximum of $1,000,000 of county ARPA funds, matched by up to $1,000,000 from the city, to help ensure fiber to every habitable structure in Mason County as part of the contract with Charter/Spectrum. Staff also said federal B funding (the Commonwealth received $1.2 billion in the transcript reference) will solicit applications in February and could provide additional support. Court members emphasized that the contract is "last money in," meaning the county will seek grant awards before fully committing local funds.

Officials cautioned that pole permitting and temporary-attachment mechanics remain critical path issues; they described a possible temporary-attachment mechanism that would allow fiber crews to attach to existing poles while some poles are replaced later, speeding construction. The court said it will continue outreach with providers and report updates to the public.