5.1. PCSR 08-24-2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Broadband Broadband services have become an essential component of community infrastructure for job creation,education, 169 safe and connected communities,civic engagement, Fi21 government transparency,and emergency preparedness. Broadband services in Elk River are provided by a combi- nation of private sector companies who complete connec- tion of broadband coverage to residential and business ' ss 33 customers. Independent School District 728,which includes Elk River, recently evaluated broadband accessibility across the District as part of a request for potentially available funds related to the COVID-19 pandemic.The evaluation identi- fied general areas within the District that"may be in need eau of increased internet access'.The School District's eval- uation included the northern portion of Elk River among �' 10 - (�A 13 those areas. 12 Utilize Partnerships to Expande Broadband Infrastructure 101 Given the wide-ranging stakeholder needs andvariety Broadband Service Gaps of private providers,the public agency partners play an � important role in anticipating demand and coordinating ■ Underserved(at least 25/3 Mbps but \ broadband service.For example,in the case of public rights underl00/20 Mbps) of way,Sherburne County policy is currently to install Unserved(below 25/3 Mbps) broadband infrastructure into all new or reconstructed roads so that it is available as development occurs.As expansion of the broadband network continues to the most remote locations in the City,options for cost effective development will be needed.One example that is available is the shared use of Elk River Municipal Utilities(ERMU) utility poles for broadband lines. Explore Funding Opportunities through Federal and State Programs The City is also able to advance development of the broad- Federal funding programs are becoming available to band network by pursuing avenues of funding such as address gaps in the overall broadband network.For those those provided by the State of Minnesotas Department of remaining portions of Elk River that are underserved, Employment and Economic Development(DEED).DEED's federal funds such as those made available through the Broadband Grant program can provide up to 50%of a 2021"American Rescue Plan Act"(ARPA)may be used project's infrastructure costs.To create an effective funding toward providing and augmenting broadband service. and development environment,the City works with private Those funds may also be used to augment Elk River's providers to create proposed coverage maps with unserved cybersecurity resources for the protection of this critical and underserved areas identified.The City should work resource. with developers investing in unserved or underserved areas to apply for DEED's Broadband Grant program. Elk River Comprehensive Plan•Infrastructure 103 DRAFT FOR REVIEW ONLY