Justin Guido

The county commissioners hired a national firm Wednesday to help improve broadband access to communities along the county’s eastern border that have spotty service.

The commissioners voted to hire AECOM for $24,937 to identify service providers and apply for some of the $1.16 billion in federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment money that was allocated to the state last year to deploy broadband infrastructure to ensure everybody has access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet service.

Census tracts mostly located along the county’s eastern border have high concentrations of consumers with no internet access, said Mark Gordon, county chief of economic development and planning.

One such area spans Allegheny, Parker and Fairview townships, where 14.4% of consumers lack internet access, according to a map provided by Gordon. The amount of consumers without internet access in other eastern communities varies from 6.18% to 2.45%.

AECOM will issue a request for proposals to service providers and recommend a provider to the commissioners, who will vote on the recommended provider. The company will then apply to the state for BEAD funding, which must be matched, Gordon said.

The county has the option of adding money to AECOM’s match to improve the chances of its application being approved, said Leslie Osche, commissioner’s chairwoman.

If the county doesn’t use the request for proposals process, service providers could apply for BEAD funding and look to expand internet service into areas where they feel they could receive the highest return on their investment, Osche said.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel said the initiative could lead service providers to expand their service areas in the future.

The contract with AECOM allows the commissioners to decide which service provider offers the best deal, Osche said.

Commissioner Kim Geyer said internet service is important to entice young people to live in the county.

“It’s just as crucial as water and sewer,” Geyer said.