COVID-19 has heightened the need to improve broadband access, as more students are learning from home. Warren County may be eligible for a $6 million in federal funding to expand access. | Adobe Stock
COVID-19 has heightened the need to improve broadband access, as more students are learning from home. Warren County may be eligible for a $6 million in federal funding to expand access. | Adobe Stock
Warren County Board of Commissioners' broadband consultant told the governing body that a federal fund might help to support plans to expand internet connectivity in rural areas financially.
The county consultant, Joe Freddoso, said the governing body could receive $6 million through the Federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund over 10 years, The Warren Record reported on Sept. 23.
If the federal fund accepted the county's request, that would amount to $600,000 per year.
Freddoso reminded the board that a broadband feasibility study indicated the estimated cost at $17 million to create the fiber optic backbone to improve the broadband access for residents, The Warren Record reported.
Freddoso said broadband expansion would address problems residents identified during a public meeting last year, which are now more significant because of the COVID-19 pandemic, including educational needs for better Internet access at home, as well as work-from-home needs and small business development, The Warren Record reported.
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