Putnam To Invest Up To $4.5 Million In Internet Expansion

Putnam County wants to use up to $4.5 million of American Rescue Plan money to expand broadband access.

Mayor Randy Porter said the funding would be used to partner with providers that receive state funding for internet expansion.

“A golden opportunity, a once in a life time probably for some of these projects,” Porter said. “You think about internet today and that’s almost a basic necessity with most folks when it comes to school, homework and people working remotely.”

Porter said if the county partners with a successful vendor, the project has a higher chance of state approval. Porter said the state could pay up to 70 percent of the project.

“That may be multiple partners. We don’t know yet,” Porter said. “But if they meet our criteria that we set fourth in this resolution, we would partner with them.”

Porter said about 40 percent of Putnam County residents do not have broadband access. Porter the goal is to expand high speed internet to the entire county.

“It’s big for Putnam County,” Porter said. “I hear more folks complain about their internet and phone service then anything else.”

Some $400 million being invested by the state for broadband expansion statewide. Putnam County started preparing by requesting for proposals in February.