BOC holds public hearing on broadband amendment

PICKENS, Ga. — The Pickens County Board of Commissioners hosted a public hearing on Oct. 21 to discuss adding an amendment to the Pickens County Joint Comprehensive Plan. The amendment would add a broadband element to the plan and aid in grant applications. 

Ethan Calhoun, assistant planning director for The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, spoke to the board and public at the hearing. Calhoun first notes why the amendment is needed, “Most people today understand the importance of that [high speed internet or broadband] for recreation, to education, to local economies.” 

He then explained that the state worked to create a grant, and qualifications for the grant: “You have to set measurement, qualifying standards. One of those standards … it needs to be in the comprehensive plan.” Calhoun noted that while it’s not required, having the broadband element in the plan improves the county’s grant application. However, it will be a required aspect of the comprehensive plan in coming years. 

The amendment, as Calhoun explained, has three action items: adoption into the comprehensive plan, adoption of a broadband ordinance, and an application to become a broadband ready community. “Once those steps are done,” Calhoun says, “then the community will be eligible for applying for that grant money.” Using the grant money, the county will be able to expand service to the areas where current providers do not serve. 

During the meeting, Calhoun answered several questions from the board and the public. One county resident, who lives in an underserved area, came to discuss the process and emphasize the community’s need. ETC Chief Operating Officer Jason Smith was also in attendance, and gave a statement on behalf of ETC: “We would encourage you guys to really think solidly about this and go forward with it.” 

In the following Board of Commissioners meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve the amendment. 

Other Business 

During the meeting, the board proclaimed Nov. 7 as Retired Educators Day. 

The board also voted to withdraw Pickens County from the CRWSA, a group formed in 2008 to address drought issues.