Securing funding for Jefferson County Broadband Deployment | 2022-2024

The Need

Jefferson County, Oregon presented multifaceted challenges related to broadband infrastructure and lack of internet service quality, difficulties in engaging with local organizations and the public, and a fragmented political landscape including rural jurisdictions and tribal lands. The rural nature of the county (24,502 population within 1,781 square miles), made infrastructure planning difficult and contributed to quality-of-life issues for the public. The County commissioned a study to assess broadband availability and provide a recommended path forward to improve broadband service and utilization throughout the county.

What SNG provided

SNG’s broadband assessment process for Jefferson County included:

  • Started with understanding the leaders of Jefferson County 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 community engagement
  • Ensured local stakeholders participated and were heard to start a process of collaboration for digital infrastructure and driving utilization
  • Assessed the existing broadband market needs and demand (current and potential)
  • Optimized network design and deployment to reach underserved areas of the County

The Jefferson County Broadband Assessment and Strategic Plan was presented to County commissioners in late 2023, and included identification of areas of need and cost estimates for improving digital infrastructure. Bridging digital divides is not just about building-out broadband to unserved and underserved areas, but also raising awareness and providing technical support for local businesses and residents to get the most out of online practices.

SNG’s Broadband Assessment and Strategic Plan key findings included:

  • Strong demand for broadband and online services across Jefferson County
  • Areas unserved and underserved with broadband that do not represent enough of a return for a private sector provider business case – therefore public investment is required in these areas to have future-ready broadband with speeds of in excess of 100/100 Mbps
  • Digital infrastructure improvements should focus on capital expenditures that are beyond the returns of a private sector business case which can include middle-mile, backhaul, fiber to the premise, and wireless towers
  • County goals for broadband utilization should include raising awareness, providing training and technical support, and measuring outcomes from building local capacity to effectively use online practices including telework, telehealth, smart community services, water management

Result and Outcomes

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

Enable affordable, robust, and competitive broadband access for all along with enhanced services – education, health, emergency, smart community, agriculture, water management, and public safety.

(Community leaders ranked highest priorities)

According to eCheckup respondents, there is a large amount of fixed wireless and satellite as reported internet connection types with speeds below the FCC minimum of 25 Mbps download.

(See counts of internet technology types for unserved eCheckup speed test responses)

78% 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)

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 County 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 Jefferson County said:

Feedback on the Jefferson County Broadband Impact and Market Assessment Report:
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