Archive: News

Pat PryorThe Legislature threw its unanimous support behind the grant application of Clarity Connect, Inc. under the “Connect NY” Broadband Grant program, to expand broadband Internet service to unserved homes and businesses in Tompkins County.  (Legislators Carol Chock, Kathy Luz Herrera, and Nathan Shinagawa were excused.)

The “Connect NY” initiative offers $25 million for broadband Internet development statewide, to be allocated through the State’s Regional Economic Development Councils.  Clarity seeks approximately $3 million to support a project that would be undertaken, with Clarity as lead applicant, to extend high-speed Internet service to unserved areas in Tompkins and Cayuga Counties.

For two years, the County’s Special Committee on Broadband has studied and researched the problem of disparate Internet access throughout the County, where a significant number of the County’s rural homes and businesses—more than a quarter of the county’s geographic area—lack the broadband coverage that is virtually essential in today’s society.  The Clarity proposal would reach about 98% of the currently unserved population of Tompkins County with broadband Internet service that meets or exceeds Federal Communications Commission standards, which Broadband Committee Chair Pat Pryor said would fulfill the Committee’s charge on how to best extend broadband technology countywide.  The Broadband Committee on Monday recommended the Clarity proposal by a 9-0 unanimous vote.  Clarity’s application has already received official support from six towns in Tompkins and the Cayuga County Legislature.

Clarity’s wireless solution would be offered in partnership with Finger Lakes Technologies Group, and there was considerable discussion concerning whether the Legislature should also endorse a second local proposal, advanced by Haefele TV of Spencer, which currently serves part of the Town of Enfield.  Haefele’s cable-based solution, taken alone, would serve a smaller portion of the county, and both Legislator Pryor and Chair Martha Robertson, who serves on the Regional Council, advised that, for maximum effectiveness, the County should strongly support one proposal, rather than weaken the competitive position of its endorsement with support of two.  Before the Legislature’s vote, however, Clarity and Haefele representatives committed to work to coordinate their proposals, and the Legislature’s support resolution was amended to reflect that.

Among aspects of the Clarity proposal that Legislator Pryor said impressed the Broadband Committee were its “shovel ready” nature, its widespread municipal support, its well developed plan for bringing digital literacy programs and awareness to potential users, and partnerships with the county library system and school districts, with discounted service offered for low income families.

Chair Robertson praised the application as “terrific” and “a fantastic opportunity,” and promised to enthusiastically support it before the Regional Council.

Legislature Approves Support for Old Courthouse Renovation Project
The Legislature, by a pair of unanimous votes of amended the County’s Capital Program to include renovation of the Old County Courthouse to accommodate relocation of the County Legislature chambers and offices, as is required to accommodate the needs of the New York State Court System, and authorized up to $1.2 million in serial bonds and notes to support project costs.  (Legislators Carol Chock, Kathy Luz Herrera, and Nathan Shinagawa were excused.)

The project includes several potential “add-on” elements, including renovations to expand and improve a basement-level conference room, which will be considered for inclusion depending on results of the bidding on construction contracts for the project.

‘It probably early next year by the time we move in,” advised Legislator Mike Lane, Chair of the Capital Plan Review Committee.

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