The Leelanau County board of commissioners heard an update from Chris Scharrer, their consultant on the Point Broadband fiber network project, at their Dec. 17 regular session.
Leelanau County contracted the Opelika, Alabama-based company in late 2022 to provide high speed internet to “unserved” and “underserved” homes in the county. The contract cost $5 million, most of which came from the county’s $4.2 million American Rescue Plan Act fund.
The project was initially slated for completion by the end of 2023. But due to a series of setbacks – most recently with severe weather conditions and securing permits with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy – the finish line has been pushed further and further back.
Now, they are hoping to complete most of the work by spring 2025. The remaining 4% of the project – which includes portions of Bingham and Elmwood townships – is to be completed by fall 2025, per Scharrer’s Tuesday evening update.
“Everything south of the line from Northport to Christmas Cove … with a couple exceptions down in Bingham Township, is lit (i.e., online), and they’re working on marketing and installing in those areas. It’s the area north of Northport that is the concern right now,” Scharrer said.
According to Nick Diponzio – who Scharrer identified as chief construction officer for Point Broadband – 80% of construction on the Point Broadband project was complete as of Tuesday. Diponzio said the internet provider recently began installing in Omena and its surroundings, excluding Peshawbestown, which is not included in the terms of their contract.
Diponzio added that they look to complete the installation of the cabinet northeast of Northport by New Year’s Day, hoping to still meet Point Broadband’s goal of reaching the Grand Traverse Lighthouse by the end of 2024.
County Commissioner Gwenne Allgaier noted there are still unserved or underserved areas on the west side of Leelanau County. Allgaier said the county plans to apply for funds through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program for these areas. Starting next year, BEAD will grant $1.6 billion through a competitive grant process.
Also at the Dec. 17 regular session, the county board approved: - A six-year agreement with the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department for early childhood health services for 2025-2030. The county board previously approved the budget and millage rate for the services to be provided for the upcoming fiscal year at a rate of 0.2000 mills out of a total authorized rate of 0.2530. Commissioner Melinda Lautner voted against the contract, citing its length.
- A two-year contract extension with Solutions For You for janitorial services, in the amount of $120,100.
- Upholding a 2008 resolution that proceeds and interest of a sale/land contract between the Leelanau County Brownfield Authority (LCBRA) and Varley Kelly Properties for the old county courthouse complex in Leland be transferred to the LCBRA to the county general fund.
The agreement was forfeited, and the complex was subsequently sold to the Satterwhite Group, but the LCBRA retained a $100,000 deposit from the agreement. Commissioner Lautner, who was also on the county board in 2008, voiced her dissatisfaction with the incident.
- Rescinding a three-year contract extension with the Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs office approved in November, replacing it with a six-year contract in the amount of $56,618 per year.
- Partnering with the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department to write a grant application and apply for the Marijuana Operation and Oversight grant, for education and outreach regarding the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. The grant funds available to Leelanau County are $13,154.
