BROADBAND
Newton County Commission Approves Broadband Deployment Plan with ALLO Communications to Support Improved Internet connectivity Across the County
Newton County, MO – December 19, 2024 – The Newton County Commissioners are pleased to announce that they have voted to approve an agreement with ALLO Communications to partner with the County to implement the first stage of a broadband deployment plan to provide important and needed Internet connectivity to the unserved and under-served areas of rural Newton County. This agreement, leveraging the remaining federal ARPA grant funds that the County previously received, will finance the construction of a ‘middle-mile’ backbone fiber line across the County that will be completed over the next two years. This fiber will then provide the infrastructure for ALLO and potentially other Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to connect to and build-from it to provide ‘fiber to home’ service for Newton County residents. The agreement with ALLO, providing $6.9 million in ARPA grant funding, will also support the development of up to nine (9) flash-flood sensor alert locations across the County that will be connected to the backbone fiber line, providing significant public safety enhancement for County residents. The County Commissioners also approved a second ARPA-funded agreement with the Area Agency on Aging, totaling $25,000 in APRA funding, to provide digital skills training for County residents, offering it first to the County’s senior population.
“During this broadband development planning process, following significant stakeholder outreach, we heard from County residents loud-and-clear that they needed better Internet connectivity, as soon as practically possible, with the opportunity to allow competition in providing service. We also heard from the surveys and one-on-one meetings that enhancing public safety and providing assistance to support greater adoption of connectivity was
important. This agreement between the County and ALLO addresses all those requests, within the ARPA funding limitations of the County”, remarked Alan Cook, retiring County Commissioner.
“The Commission looks forward to working with ALLO in the construction of this middle-mile, backbone fiber infrastructure in Newton County, to be completed by the end of 2026. By taking this broadband planning approach with ALLO, the County has guaranteed that our ARPA funds will be used to lay the foundation for improved internet connectivity for the County. ALLO, and potentially other interested ISPs, can then make application for federal BEAD grant funding to provide fiber to home service for our county residents. We are especially pleased that this fiber infrastructure touches all the unserved rural areas of the County, which were identified during the planning process”, commented Presiding Commissioner Daniel Swem.
Details regarding the County’s connectivity deployment plan, as well as the Area Agency on Aging training program, will be posted on the County website soon. In the meantime, County residents can view the County’s broadband study that provided the foundation for the planning for the Commissioners’ decisions to support improved connectivity infrastructure for the County at the following website:
Newton County Broadband Feasibility Report
Newton County remains committed to developing a more connected, sustainable, and equitable community. The County Commissioners look forward to working with ALLO and other interested partners to achieve the important goal of a more connected Newton County.
“During this broadband development planning process, following significant stakeholder outreach, we heard from County residents loud-and-clear that they needed better Internet connectivity, as soon as practically possible, with the opportunity to allow competition in providing service. We also heard from the surveys and one-on-one meetings that enhancing public safety and providing assistance to support greater adoption of connectivity was
important. This agreement between the County and ALLO addresses all those requests, within the ARPA funding limitations of the County”, remarked Alan Cook, retiring County Commissioner.
“The Commission looks forward to working with ALLO in the construction of this middle-mile, backbone fiber infrastructure in Newton County, to be completed by the end of 2026. By taking this broadband planning approach with ALLO, the County has guaranteed that our ARPA funds will be used to lay the foundation for improved internet connectivity for the County. ALLO, and potentially other interested ISPs, can then make application for federal BEAD grant funding to provide fiber to home service for our county residents. We are especially pleased that this fiber infrastructure touches all the unserved rural areas of the County, which were identified during the planning process”, commented Presiding Commissioner Daniel Swem.
Details regarding the County’s connectivity deployment plan, as well as the Area Agency on Aging training program, will be posted on the County website soon. In the meantime, County residents can view the County’s broadband study that provided the foundation for the planning for the Commissioners’ decisions to support improved connectivity infrastructure for the County at the following website:
Newton County Broadband Feasibility Report
Newton County remains committed to developing a more connected, sustainable, and equitable community. The County Commissioners look forward to working with ALLO and other interested partners to achieve the important goal of a more connected Newton County.
Newton County Broadband Feasibility Report - Summary
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Newton County Broadband Feasibility Report - Full Version
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NEWTON COUNTY LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND BROADBAND GAPS
Newton County, MO – August 3, 2023 – Based on the recommendations of a taskforce of Newton County residents, the Newton County Commission announced its initiative to launch a county-wide Broadband Gap Study to identify community connectivity needs and gain a deeper understanding of accessibility and affordability of internet services. Given the growing importance of internet connectivity on our daily lives, results from the study will help inform Newton County to guide its future broadband strategy for helping to improve internet access and connectivity for its residents, businesses, farms, and institutions. The taskforce, with the assistance of representatives from Crowder College, has been evaluating this vital County-wide need since October 2022.
A critical component of the Broadband Gap Study is public input. The Newton County Commission requests the public’s assistance to spread the word about this study and provide end user experiences in connectivity. The Commission would like to understand how residents and businesses within Newton County access and use the internet and document where significant needs exist. The Commission has prepared an anonymous survey where residents and businesses are encouraged to provide insight to their current connectivity and identify future needs across the County. The survey results will be used to inform and shape the Gap Study and significantly influence decisions regarding investments to expand internet access across Newton County.
The Commission needs to hear from the public starting now. You can help Newton County by clicking the following links to complete a brief online survey about your internet access and be a part of the solution.
For further information about Newton County’s broadband initiative, please contact [email protected].
A critical component of the Broadband Gap Study is public input. The Newton County Commission requests the public’s assistance to spread the word about this study and provide end user experiences in connectivity. The Commission would like to understand how residents and businesses within Newton County access and use the internet and document where significant needs exist. The Commission has prepared an anonymous survey where residents and businesses are encouraged to provide insight to their current connectivity and identify future needs across the County. The survey results will be used to inform and shape the Gap Study and significantly influence decisions regarding investments to expand internet access across Newton County.
The Commission needs to hear from the public starting now. You can help Newton County by clicking the following links to complete a brief online survey about your internet access and be a part of the solution.
- Residents Click Here
- Businesses Click Here
For further information about Newton County’s broadband initiative, please contact [email protected].
Newton County Launches Smarter Newton County Initiative to Achieve Connectivity Goals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Newton County Launches Smarter Newton County Initiative to Achieve Connectivity Goals
Newton County, MO – October 4, 2024 – The Newton County Commissioners are pleased to announce the second phase of the Newton County Broadband Development Project, the ‘Smarter Newton County Roadmap Initiative’, to support the upcoming multi-year buildout of new broadband that is planned to start in 2025. Aligned with the overall Broadband Project that kicked-off last year, the Roadmap Initiative's goal is to develop a specific strategy to maximize the benefits of connectivity for Newton County. The Roadmap’s plan will also focus on identifying and prioritizing key projects that will improve connectivity adoption and utilization efficiency, to enhance the quality of life for County residents and businesses.
To ensure that the Roadmap‘s plan aligns with the needs and priorities of the County, the Newton County Commissioners are inviting residents and businesses to participate in the Project’s second public survey. This survey will gather more detailed information to gain valuable insights into digital usage, challenges, and expectations, which will help to inform the development of targeted solutions. The Project’s first public survey, conducted last year to identify the unserved areas of the County, was highly successful with over 1,500 residents and businesses participating.
In addition to this survey, which will be available through October 30th, the Project will also be hosting a series of workshop discussions with identified leaders from various County sectors, including education, healthcare, business, and others. These discussions will provide an opportunity for these representatives to share their perspectives and help identify potential solutions to support successful connectivity adoption and utilization in Newton County.
Newton County is committed to creating a more connected, sustainable, and equitable community. By prioritizing digital infrastructure projects and involving the public in the process, we can build a smarter, better future for all who wish to make Newton County their home.
For more information about the Smarter Newton County Roadmap Initiative or to participate in the public survey, please visit https://forms.office.com/r/hjVV4cHdmN or access the QR Code below for the online survey.
Newton County Launches Smarter Newton County Initiative to Achieve Connectivity Goals
Newton County, MO – October 4, 2024 – The Newton County Commissioners are pleased to announce the second phase of the Newton County Broadband Development Project, the ‘Smarter Newton County Roadmap Initiative’, to support the upcoming multi-year buildout of new broadband that is planned to start in 2025. Aligned with the overall Broadband Project that kicked-off last year, the Roadmap Initiative's goal is to develop a specific strategy to maximize the benefits of connectivity for Newton County. The Roadmap’s plan will also focus on identifying and prioritizing key projects that will improve connectivity adoption and utilization efficiency, to enhance the quality of life for County residents and businesses.
To ensure that the Roadmap‘s plan aligns with the needs and priorities of the County, the Newton County Commissioners are inviting residents and businesses to participate in the Project’s second public survey. This survey will gather more detailed information to gain valuable insights into digital usage, challenges, and expectations, which will help to inform the development of targeted solutions. The Project’s first public survey, conducted last year to identify the unserved areas of the County, was highly successful with over 1,500 residents and businesses participating.
In addition to this survey, which will be available through October 30th, the Project will also be hosting a series of workshop discussions with identified leaders from various County sectors, including education, healthcare, business, and others. These discussions will provide an opportunity for these representatives to share their perspectives and help identify potential solutions to support successful connectivity adoption and utilization in Newton County.
Newton County is committed to creating a more connected, sustainable, and equitable community. By prioritizing digital infrastructure projects and involving the public in the process, we can build a smarter, better future for all who wish to make Newton County their home.
For more information about the Smarter Newton County Roadmap Initiative or to participate in the public survey, please visit https://forms.office.com/r/hjVV4cHdmN or access the QR Code below for the online survey.