Comcast says Clay County broadband build moving fast; company applies for state grant to serve 1,900 more customers

Comcast representatives updated the Clay County Board of County Commissioners on construction and grant activity for an ARPA‑funded broadband expansion.

Bill Ferry of Comcast told the board the company is building in Clay Hill and unincorporated areas north of Keystone Heights and that construction is progressing well. "Construction's doing just fine ... we're not having any supply side issues. We're not having any issues with permitting," Ferry said, and added Comcast aims to have customers signing up in Clay Hill as soon as the first quarter, possibly January.

Ferry said Comcast has applied to the Florida Office of Broadband for a grant to wire additional areas including McRae and Virginia Village. "We're looking at, I believe, about 1,900 additional customers and ... the grant [is] between $5 and 6,000,000," he told commissioners. He said Comcast would provide more than half of the project match.

Commissioners asked about interactions between state funding rules and prior local ARPA dollars; one commissioner noted a recent state rule change limiting eligibility in some cases where federal funds already exist. Ferry said Comcast tailored its grant application language to avoid overlap and expects awards to be announced in February.

County staff and commissioners asked about coverage maps and the challenge period that follows state publication of proposed service areas, during which other providers can dispute overlapping claims. Ferry said he was confident of the application and that Comcast would continue to watch future state funding cycles.

The update did not include a formal vote; commissioners thanked Comcast and encouraged staff to coordinate permitting and outreach to unserved residents.