Agenda - Council - 09/13/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

least 20 Mbps and 100 Mbps upload speeds and be scalable to a minimum of 100 Mbps symmetrical for download and upload speeds. In addition, Treasury, in the Supplementary Information to the interim final rule, encouraged recipients to pursue a number of other objectives. First, Treasury encouraged recipients to prioritize investments in fiber-optic infrastructure wherever feasible and focus on projects that deliver a physical broadband connection by prioritizing projects that achieve last - mile connections. Second, Treasury encouraged recipients to integrate affordability options into their program design. Third, Treasury encouraged recipients to prioritize support for local networks owned, operated, or affiliated with local governments, nonprofits, and cooperatives. Fourth, Treasury encouraged recipients to avoid investing in locations with existing agreements to build reliable wireline service with minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload by December 31, 2024, in order to avoid duplication of efforts and resources. Finally, following release of the interim final rule, Treasury provided further guidance clarifying some aspects of broadband infrastructure eligibility, specifically on flexibility for recipients to determine eligible areas to be served,328 middle -mile projects,329 pre -project development costs,33° broadband connections to schools or libraries,331 and the applicability of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Davis -Bacon Act.332 Summary of Public Comments: Treasury received several comments on the interim final rule's requirements regarding eligible areas for investment and build -to speed standards, as well as Treasury's encouragements in the Supplementary Information of the interim final rule. Many 32s See FAQ 6.8, 6.9, 6.11. Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, Frequently Asked Questions, as of July 19, 2021; https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRPFAQ.pdf. 329 See FAQ 6.10. Id. 33° See FAQ 6.12. Id. 331 See FAQ 6.16. Id. 332 See FAQ 6.4, 6.17. Id. 295