Bedford County creates broadband authority

BEDFORD — After several months of consideration, the Bedford County Board of Supervisors narrowly voted Monday to form a broadband authority.

The authority, which was enacted by a 4-3 vote after a public hearing, is a legal entity that can contract directly with private providers to deliver broadband access to residents and businesses. The seven-member board would serve as the authority and could appoint an advisory committee for technical assistance.

“We do envision this as a public-private partner-ship,” Assistant County Administrator Frank Rogers said of the authority’s purpose. He said the county “is not looking into the business of being a broadband provider” but rather a vehicle to help facilitate service to parts of the county that are not served or underserved.

Supervisors Steve Arrington, Dale Wheeler and Roger Cheek voted against forming the authority while Supervisors Gary Lowry, John Sharp, Annie Pollard and Chuck Neudorfer voted in favor. The dissenting supervisors raised concerns about debt the authority could accrue, service area capabilities and the need to have a “sunset date” to dissolve it, which was not included in a motion for approval.

“We start some things we can’t seem to get finished,” said Arrington, who pushed for an expiration date for the authority. “When you start something, you can’t undo it.”

Since October, county officials have researched high speed Internet access to help businesses and residents who need it. A subcommittee within the county’s economic development authority recommended that a broadband authority be formed and supervisors later voted to pursue a $55,000 grant from the state tobacco commission, which it received, to offset costs to launch it.

Bedford residents from various locations in the county spoke in favor of the authority during Monday’s hearing, citing a desire for faster Internet service.

Conrad Hodges, who lives in the western part of the county near Roanoke, said everyone in his area wants an authority. He called his current wireless phone and cable service “depressing.”

“I beg y’all to support this,” said Hodges.

Susan Brock, who lives in the county’s southeastern district, supported it based on the benefit for home-owned businesses. She said she knows several people who are trying to start their own businesses because of hardships due to the economy.

“We simply cannot do our own business without some sort of broadband,” said Brock. “They can’t do it on what they have, which is dial-up.”

Officials said Monday that even with an authority, there is no guarantee for 100 percent countywide service.

“It should be our goal,” said Pollard.