Heard County delegates authority to Development Authority to pursue NTIA/OPB broadband grants

The Heard County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on July 27, 2021 to delegate authority to the Heard County Development Authority to pursue federal and state broadband grants (NTIA and Georgia OPB) and to provide a local match contribution if required.

Kathy Knowles, director of the Development Authority, explained that existing broadband work will cross western Heard County and the grant effort — if awarded — would be used to extend service into eastern Heard County in partnership with Coweta‑Fayette EMC and Sync Global. Commissioners asked whether both projects could proceed simultaneously; Knowles said they would not interfere and could be done at the same time. On a motion by Commissioner Larry Hooks, seconded by Commissioner Larry Hammond, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the resolution on the county’s behalf.