BEATRICE – Gage County is taking proposals to upgrade rural broadband service, using federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to accept proposals that could tap up to $4 million in ARPA funding the county expects.


Supervisor Emily Haxby says the initiative is the result of a meeting with the Nebraska Public Service Commission, a Rural Broadband Task Force and the Southeast Nebraska Development District.


"We'll be offering up to four million dollars to one or multiple internet providers who are willing to provide high-speed broadband services to as many premises as possible in unincorporated or rural areas of the county, focusing on those that are unserved or under-served."


Broadband proposals would be reviewed March 7th and accepted or rejected by the county, March 9th. There would be three weeks for companies to work on proposals, which must be submitted by March 4th.  Haxby says the county is looking to reach agreement with a company or companies that would be able to match the county’s ARPA funds within two years and to complete other projects using other funding sources, over four years.  The project is a one-time commitment of funds that will show preference for fiberoptic, over fixed wireless improvements.


"I really think these ARPA funds offer us a great opportunity to help improve broadband services in our rural areas...especially with the other grant programs that are available. I think we can make a real impact for our residents, and I'm excited that we have this opportunity."


County Board Chairman Erich Tiemann said the project could pave the way for more jobs where people work remotely. "We're going to see more of that work-from-home...people that worked in office buildings in cities, that now can come back, maybe to the farm or a more familiar location. But, they need high-speed internet."


Haxby says there are real-life examples of the benefits of higher speed internet.  "I have a neighbor....she's a speech pathologist for a school out in western Nebraska, because they can't get anybody there. Her husband farms here, so she can't move. But, she's able to serve, I think, 55 kids that way."


In other action during Wednesday’s Gage County Board meeting, supervisors approved a special use permit for a proposed commercial anhydrous ammonia operation on the Gage-Lancaster County line, near Adams...which was sought by Farmers Cooperative of Dorchester.


The board also approved a $15,000 Visitors Improvement Fund grant to aid Community Players of Beatrice in a project to upgrade lighting at the Beatrice Theatre. It’s part of a $200,000 improvement and renovation of the local theatre.  The entire project is estimated to be complete in the summer of 2023.