The Warren County Commissioners hope they have found the opportunity they’ve been waiting for to deliver more bang for their buck when it comes to broadband.

On Monday, the commissioners heard a proposal that could lead to $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act COVID-relief dollars resulting in a $10 million project.

“The county’s been trying to assess some of the broadband needs in the county — where there are gaps,” Bill Gallagher, the county’s IT contractor, said. “We’re trying to come up with some opportunities to fund some projects.”

“The county would like to provide some grant match funds,” he said. “That would help infuse some money.”

He said providers have trouble building out the infrastructure for “seven or eight residences per mile” on their own.

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority offers a competitive grant program.

“This is the county’s opportunity to co-fund that grant match,” Gallagher said. “We’re hoping this match by the county helps bring that award in. It’s a very competitive grant.”

There are other possible revenue streams. “We would try to pull in other state and federal funds,” he said. We’re likely looking at a $10-million total project. That would get us pretty far down the road” to county-wide broadband.

“This is the kind of strategic opportunity we’ve been looking for,” Commissioner Ben Kafferlin said, “using $1 million to bring down $10 million.”