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