HTML Coverpage Q2Board of Supervisors 2023
Financial Stability and Core ServicesEmergency PreparednessEconomic DevelopmentBroadbandHousingHomelessnessRecreationClimate Resilience
Initiative DetailsTrack Deliverables for the Economic Development Service Contract with Sierra Business CouncilImplement Last Mile Broadband Projects (Round 1)Maintain GoNevadaCounty.com to promote sustainable tourismAdopt a policy declaring “Broadband is essential infrastructure” to signal this is a County priority. Complete the Programmatic EIR and expand the permitting “tool kit” to facilitate broadband.Manage the “Last-Mile” Broadband Grant program with Sierra Business Council.Evaluate the feasibility of a pilot “line extension” grant program. Update the County's “Broadband Strategy.”Fund and implement the "Dig-Once" policy.Develop a map of projects in the County to show service areas and gaps. Engage and inform the community about County efforts to expand broadband.Seek grant funding and advocate at state and federal level for broadband.Partner with the Sierra Business Council to support Economic Development countywide.Provide support to small businesses impacted by Covid-19 pandemic.Provide support to small businesses impacted by Covid-19 pandemic.Support development of the Higgins Area PlanDevelop a cannabis business tax programHousing Master Plans ProjectSupport development of the Penn Valley Community CenterIdentify lessons learned and opportunities to enhance permitting processesEconomic Development ProfileSupport potential high growth sector developmentCultivate economic diversification, sustainability and equityEstablish infrastructure, further projects and plans to support economic vitalitySeek funding and advocate for economic development prioritiesSupport business attraction, retention and growthFinalize and approve the Nevada County Recreation and Resiliency Master Plan.Promote health and safety at river crossings, lakes, trailheads, and other high-use or high-risk areas.Enhance recreation access, health and safety, economic development, and resource conservation.Support capacity and sustainability of Western Nevada County organized recreation.Identify funding mechanisms and act on advocacy priorities to sustain recreation.Staff recreation collaborative(s) to promote countywide coordination.Establish partnerships to advance and undertake broadband construction projects.Community CoordinationMonitor economically sensitive revenues Reduce Hazardous Vegetation on County-Maintained Roads and County Owned PropertyTruckee Lofts ProjectEvaluate the options and feasibility of establishing a Business License process in the County.Ensure healthy fund balances in major operating fundsPrepare and implement long-term financial plansDevelop and manage County budgetClimate Strategic PlanHarden Critical InfrastructureEnhance Carbon Storage and SequestrationFunding and AdvocacyHazard MitigationRecoveryIncrease availability of rental and mortgage assistance funding to prevent individuals and families from slipping into homelessness and implement a CoC-wide diversion strategyExpand services and housing opportunities to transition aged youth and families with children to prevent entry into the adult homeless system and long-term homelessness.Strengthen housing focused case management and post housing supportive servicesExpand year-round shelter capacityImplement a centralized Landlord Liaison Program (LLP)Facilitate and promote partnerships for the development of affordable and supportive housingExpand and strengthen non-congregant, navigation-based, interim housing optionsSupport system wide improvement to data collection measures, collaboration on funding opportunities, and implementation of the County-CoC joint strategic planStrengthen the coordinated multi-disciplinary case conferencing team (Homeless Resource Team)Continue to support and strengthen outreach, engagement, and case management
On Target
Manage the “Last-Mile” Broadband Grant program with Sierra Business Council.
Board of Supervisors 2023

Description

Expediting access to the internet for all residents is the goal of the County’s “Last-Mile Broadband Grant Program.” The Board established the program in 2019 with Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) dollars intended to promote economic development. The program is managed under contract with the Sierra Business Council with oversight from the County's Broadband Work Group.

In April 2021, the County awarded $500,000 for the second round of the "Last-Mile Broadband Grant Program" to four local internet service providers (ISP); broadband service will be offered to 440 households to support distance learning, remote working, and tele-medicine.  The four ISPs include Nevada County Fiber, Inc., Northern Sierra Fiber, Oasis Broadband, and Spiral Fiber, Inc., who each offered unique and innovative approaches to expanding broadband in areas challenged by both the geographic infrastructure challenges and the low population density. 

Following the Board's 2022 Workshop, the Board directed staff to allocate at least $250,000 for Round 3 “Last-Mile” grants from the Economic Development Infrastructure assignment of the General Fund. 

Progress Update

Highlights from Q2 (April through June 2023) include:

  • Nevada County Fiber has installed 7 of 11 fiber-to-the-home connections for their 2021/2022 Last Mile Grant fiber connections, while concurrently deploying 12 of 22 fiber connections for their CASF-funded last-mile grant.
  • Northern Sierra Broadband extended their completion deadline, updated the project timeline, met with vendors, and engaged in outreach with neighbors.

Linked Measures

Not Defined
Last-Mile Broadband Connections
Board of Supervisors 2023

Next Steps

Plans for Q3 (July through September 2023) include:

  • Prepare County-funded Last Mile Grant (Round 3). Release in Q3 or Q4, pending state grants and GSCA low-level design outcomes.
  • Support ISPs applying for Federal Funding Account (FFA) grants.
Not Defined

Last-Mile Broadband Connections
Last-Mile Broadband Connections

Chart

Bar chart with 2 data series.
Last-Mile Broadband Connections (Chart Type: Column) Plot Bands 2021 # of connections: 450.00 County investment (in thousands): 500.00 2022 # of connections: No Value County investment (in thousands): No Value 2023 # of connections: No Value County investment (in thousands): No Value
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Range: 0 to 600.
End of interactive chart.

Objectives

On Target
Broadband
Board of Supervisors 2023