Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton A map presented during the Warren County Commissioners work session details areas — lined in red — that are underserved regarding broadband internet access.

Over 20 applications for CARES Act funding have accounted for over $900,000 in COVID-19 related losses.

And Warren County Commissioners expect that total to surpass $1 million before the first round of grant applications closes on Friday.

Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said over 30 have attended webinars set up to discuss the process. He said many good questions have been asked and some who were on the fence about participating are not in support based on the information shared in those sessions.

“I would say I’m glad that we’re going to be able to help people through this program,” he said.

Commissioner Tricia Durbin credited the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry for doing a “really good job.” She said that President/CEO Jim Decker and the WCCBI have been “instrumental working with businesses.

“Things are working the way we expected them too. (We) always want to petition ourselves for success. So far, so good.”

Part of the county’s CARES Act response could involve broadband access in underserved areas.

Commissioner Ben Kafferlin shared a map of the county that shows the areas that are considered underserved.

He said he’s been in contact with Mobilcom, a firm interested in becoming an internet service provider.

“We would need to help facilitate getting a hold of the vertical assets,” Kafferlin said, “piggybacking licenses so the 911 Center can use them in the future.”

He said he doesn’t want the county to be an internet service provider but would be willing to lease that capacity to another entity. “(We are) still working on the strategy but (am) making progress.”

“(We) might have to look at various and sundry options,” Durbin said of the broadband challenge. “(As) more ideas come to us, we can brainstorm…. (We) still might be able to come to a comprehensive plan.”

Kafferlin noted there is no “single ISP” that will solve the problem as there is no “silver bullet.”

Eggleston said the county will have to sort out some “variables” when it comes to awarding funds to various entities, such as those with or without employees or those that claimed lost fundraising funds in their applications. He said the commissioners will have to “mull over” those issues.