BOCC and Port Reach Agreement on Broadband to the Fairgrounds

POMEROY- The Port of Garfield will seek an estimate for the design work to add the fairgrounds to the broadband fiber construction in phase one after receiving approval from the Garfield County Commissioners during the meeting August 10.

Grant Morgan, Garfield County Public Works Director, said the County gave their approval to the Port to get an estimate for the design work needed to add the Fairgrounds to the phase one construction of the Port’s broadband fiber project. To expedite construction, Morgan plans to give the County Public Works part of the project in an attempt to reach the December 2020 end date.

Justin Dixon, Garfield County Commissioner, said the project will qualify for CARES Act funding because the Fairgrounds is designated as the County’s Emergency Management Center and the funds must be allocated by the end of October, 2020. According to Dixon, Pocket iNet will help move things along as well.

The addition of the Fairgrounds to the broadband system will allow residents in the area to be connected. Garfield County Commissioner Wynne McCabe said that a wireless service could also be set up at the fairgrounds that could broadcast to residents in Pataha, giving them access to the high-speed internet services. Dixon said some internet providers are looking into it.

The next meeting of the BOCC will be Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, at 9 a.m. The public is invited to attend by teleconference.