To: Dr. Beverly Brown, Community & Economic Development Committee Chairperson
From: Michael Dawisha, CIO
title
RE: Approval of a request to negotiate an agreement with Pivot-Tech to create an IRS 63-20 LLC corporation to build and operate a Genesee County Broadband network
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Enter into an agreement with Pivot-Tech to create an IRS 63-20 LLC corporation to build and operate a Genesee County Broadband network.
BACKGROUND:
In May 24, 2024, the county launched a broadband taskforce, as approved by the board with resolution 2023-208. The County has evaluated options for improving broadband availability, reliability, and affordability throughout the community. During this multi-year effort, the broadband committee researched broadband technologies, funding models, ownership structures, and public-private partnership opportunities. The taskforce also interviewed broadband experts, internet service providers, infrastructure companies, consultants, and other vendors to better understand existing service gaps and identify practical approaches for developing a sustainable county-wide network. As part of this due diligence, the County partnered with Merit Network to conduct a county-wide broadband survey. The survey gathered information directly from residents and businesses regarding internet availability, service quality, connection speeds, reliability, affordability, and unmet needs. The results provided the County with locally sourced data to supplement publicly available coverage information and helped demonstrate the need for a coordinated broadband strategy. The County subsequently reviewed potential solutions in light of the survey findings, stakeholder input, technical considerations, anticipated costs, available infrastructure, and opportunities to expand service into unserved and underserved areas. Through this process, the taskforce determined that a county-wide approach offers the strongest opportunity to create reliab...
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