Title
Vote to approve the amendment to the GREAT Grant Agreement with Connect Holding II LLC d/b/a Brightspeed to revise the payment schedule for the County's remaining broadband match contribution
Abstract
Introduction & Background: On April 17, 2023, the Board of Commissioners approved the execution of Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant Agreements between the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT), Chatham County, and Connect Holding II LLC d/b/a Brightspeed to expand broadband service to unserved areas of the county. As part of the approved agreement, Chatham County committed $350,000 in matching funds to support the project. Brightspeed has since advanced construction activities and documented more than $1,761,601 in NCDIT-approved match-eligible expenditures, exceeding the County's total committed contribution. Due to construction, permitting, and utility pole attachment delays, Brightspeed is pursuing an extension of the project construction schedule with NCDIT. As a result, revisions to the payment schedule are being requested to ensure the County's remaining contribution can be disbursed prior to applicable funding deadlines.
Discussion & Analysis: The current agreement provides for the County's $350,000 contribution to be paid in two installments, with the final installment due after NCDIT receives the project's final progress report. Because construction and reimbursement activities may continue beyond 2026, the existing payment structure could prevent the County from disbursing its remaining committed funds before the applicable deadline. Brightspeed has requested an amendment to Exhibit J of the agreement that would revise the timing of the remaining payment while maintaining the County's original financial commitment and project scope. The proposed amendment would: (1) recognize the County's initial payment of $175,000; (2) provide for payment of the remaining $175,000 within 30 days of amendment ...
Click here for full text