Assessing Hermiston’s Broadband Gaps and Building a Case for Investing in Digital Infrastructure
2021-2025

“SNG provided the City of Hermiston the opportunity to realize the full economic and community benefits of digital infrastructure over the long term.”

– Nate Rivera, General Manager, Hermiston Energy Services, City of Hermiston, OR

The Need

In 2021, the City of Hermiston had a “patchwork” of broadband infrastructure that did not meet the city’s needs – current or future. SNG was hired to rigorously examine gaps and the level of broadband service available to residents and businesses. As well, SNG was asked to identify opportunities for maximizing benefits from broadband, including the specification of any digital divides that needed to be addressed.

What SNG provided

SNG’s broadband assessment process for the City of Hermiston included:

  • Started with understanding Hermiston’s digital goals, needs, and readiness (Digital Needs and Readiness Assessment – DNRA)
  • Used DNRA findings to focus community planning on consensus goals and needs, to raise awareness and drive engagement on digital inclusion
  • Ensured local stakeholders participated and were heard to start a process of collaboration for digital infrastructure and driving utilization
  • Assess broadband market needs and demand (current and potential)
  • Optimize network design and rollout by better understanding broadband market demand

From 2021 to 2023, SNG conducted a Broadband Assessment and eStrategy Report. Through the use of locally-derived data (17% community participation rate) that provides critical insights on broadband needs and availability, SNG provided Hermiston with a holistic understanding of its broadband gaps, barriers, and opportunities. The report also provided insights needed to bridge gaps in Hermiston’s broadband services and digital infrastructure, as well as to build the digital skills and capacity of businesses and residents to more effectively benefit from these technologies.

SNG’s Broadband Economic Feasibility Assessment and key findings included:

  • Net cost to the City of $9,656 per year, while connecting all current and planned locations
  • Core network cost with capacity for future expansion: ~$4,000,000 ($294K annually financed at 4% over 20 years)
  • Municipal cost savings for current and planned services: $368,346 per year
  • Additional tangible benefits: opportunities to support investment from community partners, increased local economic activity, attracting mobile workers and virtual companies, smart community services, etc.

Result and Outcomes

Supported by the opinion of community leaders, SNG found significant opportunities for economic and community impacts through broadband for Hermiston, which included:

Focus on economic growth, workforce development skills training, and expanding access to health and education services.

(Community leaders ranked highest priorities)

Investment strategy that utilizes existing telecom spending to finance core network deployment and sustainable revenue model.

(Over $30,000 a month in municipal broadband services spending)

75% of households would be very likely to change service providers if other options were made available.

(Supports the development of more quality and affordable internet service availability)

eCheckup findings with the likelihood to change service provider and internet technologies used for underserved locations identified from the assessment speed test.
Map displays the aggregate, geographic data for low income, seniors, school-aged children, and home business and teleworker respondents to the eCheckup assessment. These clusters are used to identify for outreach and program planning for digital inclusion and transformation.

The following items were included in a detailed timeline for action as part of the eStrategy report:

  • Digital Navigators program to assist residents with available telehealth and e-learning programs
  • Prioritize digital transformation with local stakeholders to provide online services to the community
  • Develop governance, business, and operating models for digital infrastructure
  • The City should participate on the board of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or board to manage infrastructure deployment and maintenance
  • Increase the offering of community internet access locations
  • Explore opportunities for regional collaboration with nearby municipalities to achieve an increased market scope for broadband network deployment

What Hermiston said:

Feedback on the Hermiston Broadband Impact and Market Assessment Report:
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