An attempt by county officials to secure a provider interested in expanding broadband access in the county has received three bites.

The county is in possession of nearly $1 million in funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission, a 13-state economic development agency that incorporates the Appalachian Region.

The project has a few “required outcomes,” according to the proposal.

Those include “turn-key high speed internet access to Garland VFD, Wrightsville VFD, Sugar Grove VFD, Spring Creek VFD and Spartansburg VFD.”

That connectivity then leads to the second tier of required outcomes — “commercial and residential access to wireless or wired high speed internet services within the Garland, Wrightsville, Sugar Grove, Spring Creek and Spartansburg communities.”

Chief Clerk Pam Matve told the Times Observer that three entities submitted proposals as part of this project — Youngsville TV, Charter Communications and Dan Risse, who is identified with SkyPacket Networks in a 2021 press release.

Commissioner Tricia Durbin said the proposals would be formally opened at the commissioner’s work session set for next Tuesday at noon.

The funding had initially been awarded to Youngsville Television Corp. to “provide broadband services to unserved and under-served areas in the northwest region of Pennsylvania,” according to the grant award.

The county commissioners have held most of their $7.6 million in American Rescue Plan dollars close to the vest as discussion about possible broadband uses have been unfolding behind the scenes.

“The County has established areas of need for broadband services looking for an internet solution that will serve residents, business and governments throughout the County,” the RFP explained.

“This is a private/public venture due to the funding source,” the document states. “The County will own the infrastructure for a period of three years. During this time the vendor will pay a Right of Use Agreement fee for the network. While owned by the government, costs borne to operate, manage, and maintain the network will be the sole responsibility of the provider.”