Trigg County Fiscal Court Approves ARPA Funds for Broadband Expansion

The Trigg County Fiscal Court moved one step closer to improved broadband internet infrastructure for Cadiz and its outskirts on Monday night, when it unanimously confirmed to enter into a contract with Pennyrile Electric (PRECC) under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) for up to $2 million dollars.

Judge-Executive Hollis Alexander noted the ARPA funds, which were applied for by PRECC in early May, could be just the beginning for Trigg County’s jump into the 21st century — as an estimated $16 million would be required to outfit the entire county with a consistent, affordable broadband service.

Signed into national law in March, the $1.9 trillion relief plan proposed and enacted under US President Joe Biden included — among the many of its fail safes — considerable funds for all 50 states to earmark necessary investments for water, sewer and/or broadband improvements.

Alexander added other forms of financial relief for this specific project are being applied for through the Purchase Area Development District office (PADD) at this time, in hopes of meeting more than half the county’s needs for affordable, life-changing upload and download speeds.

For now, this immediate move could help eventually service up to half the county, providing students and families with a needed utility synonymous to clean water, proper waste management and home temperature control.

Water infrastructure within the county has recently been addressed, with the completed construction and freshly-minted operation of the Cadiz Water Treatment Plant. Providing better local internet seemed like the next logical step.

Alexander and his constituents will be seeking further clarifications on the ARPA funding, too, when the US Department of Treasury is expected to release full details and caveats of the relief on July 15. It’s possible another $800,000 could be available in immediate federal funding through ARPA.

The Trigg County Fiscal Court also unanimously approved to approach an auctioneer and set a date for the sale of a considerable surplus list of items, perhaps in conjunction with similar stores from the Trigg County school system. As such, Alexander said there would be no need for sealed bids at this time.

Surplus Items List, per TCFC