The finalization of a $4.6 million deal enables Franklin County to begin Phase One of its broadband expansion plan. This initiative will bring both fiber and fixed wireless to underserved areas. The plan uses a Public-Private Partnership (P3) model to leverage public assets and skills through the Franklin County Broadband Authority, private equity and expertise through Blue Ridge Tower and its BRISCNET subsidiary and Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel), and grant funds from a Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) Grant the County was awarded in the spring by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
Firm partner Mike Lockaby advised county leaders and the broadband providers through the process of the Public-Private Education Facilities & Infrastructure Act (PPEA) to form the P3. The PPEA is a flexible procurement model commonly used by localities for large-scale public infrastructure projects. We have worked with public-sector clients using this delivery mechanism for water/sewer utility systems, jail facilities, a fitness center facility, solid waste facilities, and in this case, an internet telecommunications system. The advantage to forming a P3 under the PPEA process, as compared to traditional government procurement and financing, is its flexibility and its ability to draw on private-sector expertise and funding. The outcome can be simple, similar to a design-build construction contract. However, the outcome can also be complex, including not just design-build, but also combining private and public funding, and long-term operations and maintenance of the project. This procurement process and delivery mechanism is ideally suited to forming partnerships for expansion of telecommunications infrastructure into unserved and underserved areas. In this instance, a unique mix of private expertise and capital and public expertise and capital were necessary to make the project happen. Due to GWCL’s knowledge of construction contracting, public procurement, governmental operations, infrastructure, and public finance and municipal bonds, we have become leaders in the field of P3s.
The addition of the P3 money to the VATI Grant will greatly enhance broadband service to county residents and businesses where 70% of residents don’t have adequate internet access and 30% don’t have internet service at all. As noted by Steve Sandy, the County’s Director of Planning and Community Development, the expansion of quality broadband is especially vital with a larger number of residents forced to work from home, and more children required to learn online. As part of Phase One, Blue Ridge Towers will construct eight new wireless towers and build additions to four existing towers, with its BRISCNET subsidiary providing the fixed wireless service. SHENTEL will install approximately 6.5 miles of fiber optic cable. This first phase will begin within the next two months with completion expected by the end of 2021. Phase One will bring faster internet service to nearly 20,000 homes, and county residents should begin having improved internet access options in the next two to six months.
Local leaders also recently approved moving forward with Phase Two of the project and applying for additional grant funds. Mike and firm partner Jim Guynn continue to work with the County, broadband experts, and civil engineers by providing legal guidance and administrative support, including assistance with new grant applications for Phase Two.
Local media coverage on the updated Franklin County Broadband Plan included:
https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2020/07/22/faster-more-reliable-internet-coming-to-franklin-county/
https://www.wdbj7.com/2020/07/21/broadband-project-advances-in-franklin-county/
https://wset.com/news/local/broadband-access-to-provide-internet-service-to-20000-new-people-in-franklin-county
https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-news/franklin-county-to-approve-4-6-million-broadband-project/
