Stimulus funds could expand broadband in county

CANTON — Federal stimulus funds could prompt companies to wire St. Lawrence County for broadband Internet access.

RidgeviewTel, Longmont, Colo., wants to partner with the Development Authority of the North Country for a $6 million project to expand broadband access via fiber-optic connections to several communities. The company hopes to secure stimulus funds to advance the project.

RidgeviewTel consultant Daniel Churchill said National Telecommunications and Information Administration officials have not decided exact requirements to receive funding, but some priorities have been set.

"The priorities are broadband service to unserved and underserved areas, public and private collaboration, and shovel-ready projects that will provide new jobs and are in the public interest," Mr. Churchill said. "We think this proposal fits those criteria."

RidgeviewTel in 2008 backed off plans to offer wireless Internet service to several St. Lawrence County communities, citing difficulties with permit requirements and fees that rendered their plans not economically viable.

DANC Deputy Director Thomas R. Sauter said the authority is not yet committed to the proposal.

"It's been just staff work up to this point," he said.

RidgeviewTel President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent T. Jordan told members of the county Legislature's Information Technology and Telecommunications Committee on Thursday that lawmakers' endorsement would place the company in a better position to secure funding. The company hopes to apply by April 15, he said.

Mr. Jordan said the company wants to expand DANC's fiber-optic line by 92 miles. He said 79 access points and 29 WiMAX, or wireless connection points, are proposed for communities including Waddington, Madrid, Morley, Flackville, Rensselaer Falls, Rossie, Piercefield, Cranberry Lake and Wanakena. Direct fiber connections may be used in some Adirondack towns that have only satellite service, he said.

Mr. Jordan estimated that RidgeviewTel would be able to provide service to 8,750 residents now without broadband access. Other service providers could hook into its network, he said.

Committee Chairwoman Laura J. Perry, D-Hopkinton, said the panel should hear proposals from other providers before endorsing RidgeviewTel's plans and asking the Legislature to do the same.

"We're reserving judgment at this point until we have an understanding of the full picture," she said. "We don't know what the rules are at this point. To RidgeviewTel's credit, they're trying to be responsive, they're first in line, and I think that's extremely commendable. But we want to make sure we have the best solution for St. Lawrence County."