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About North Douglas herald. (Drain Or) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2024)
Page 12 North Douglas Herald December 2024 OBDP Announces $133 Million Award This initial tranche of funding aims to enhance internet access in 12,182 locations, 10,755 of which are unserved (lacking 25/3 Mbps service) or lack sufficient broadband service. A total of 16 projects are slated for funding across 17 counties. The Oregon Broadband Office is excited to announce it has issued Notices of Intent to Award $132,917,084 through the Office’s Broadband Deployment Program (BDP), part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF). This initial tranche of funding will support the construction and deployment of high- speed, reliable wired broadband internet at speeds of 100/100 Mbps to unserved and underserved locations across the state. “High-speed, reliable internet is a modern essential,” Governor Kotek said. “Our broadband infrastructure is the lifeblood of Oregon businesses and communities, and these grants will help ensure that we’re not leaving communities behind.” Sophorn Cheang, Director of Business Oregon, emphasized the program’s commitment to equity and collaboration: “Equity and strategic collaboration are the core values of our Oregon Broadband Office’s work. This process will ultimately provide thousands of unserved and underserved Oregonians with high-speed, reliable broadband internet. Access to the internet is essential for education, healthcare, remote work, Bringing High-Speed Internet to Thousands by 2026 and social connection. This award will ensure that Oregonians have every opportunity to succeed in the digital realm.” Nick Batz, Director of the Oregon Broadband Office, thanked all applicants and highlighted the program’s competitive nature: “I want to thank all the applicants for their interest in this program, and I give special thanks to the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council for their guidance. The Oregon Broadband Office received 62 applications requesting approximately $445 million for broadband infrastructure projects around the state. The total program allocation is $156,795,418, so we expected a highly competitive process. This oversubscription shows the demand to bring reliable broadband to all Oregonians. Our goal is within reach between the Broadband Deployment Program and our upcoming Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.” Awardees were ranked based on a composite score that prioritizes outcomes: Social Vulnerability Index - Applicants receive a 5% score bonus if 80% or more of their proposed project service locations are located within areas designated as “Moderate to High” or “High” on the state of Oregon’s Social Vulnerability Index. Unserved Locations— 5 points for other eligible locations where wired 25/3 service already exists). Affordability - Applicants with projects that can offer service at $30/month or less receive an additional 5 points per location. Applicants with projects that can provide service at $50/month or less receive two additional points per location. The Broadband Deployment Program Handbook is available on the Program’s website and outlines the selection process and criteria used to determine awardees. Eligible applicants included municipalities, private and for-profit entities, electric utilities, co-operatives, municipal affiliates (economic development corporations, regional planning and development councils, and councils of government), nonprofit organizations, and partnerships between eligible applicants. All awarded funds must be utilized, and projects must be operational by December 2026. Some of our nearby applicants with award amount, counties served and number of locations. Douglas Services, Inc. $8,505,531.98 Douglas, Lane 1937 locations Douglas Services, Inc. $2,458,593.34 Coos, 483 locations Casco Communications, Inc $10,227,750.86 Linn, 1006 locations Awards are subject to meeting all conditions of the Award and coming to terms with OBO to timely execute a Grant Agreement. The conditions of the award will be sent out to each Awardee via email to the contact provided in the application. For more information about the Oregon Broadband Office, visit www.broadband .oregon.gov. Willamette Valley Harley Continued from Page 5 having some activity. He got a twinkle in his eye and told me to watch for major developments that are coming to that corner of the Motoplex. Joshua Sklaroff is certainly building an impressive motorcycle complex with Willamette Valley Indian and Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson and Royal Enfield motorcycles. It’s evident that, his drive, experience, standards in work culture and vision, that he is a force to be reckon with. I expect big things to come. So my own experience as a motorcycle enthusiast and Harley rider reminds me that there has been a tradition of Harley dealers going back to the mid 70’s for me and even longer as a historic legasy. Working backward, there was the dealership that was a partner to the Latus HD in Gladstone Oregon. Before that is Doyle’s HD who broke ground in the current location. Before Doyles there was Frank in downtown Springfield with Eastside HD, who added the dealership to his Kawasaki dealership. An HD dealer has been, traditionally, in the Eugene/Springfield area for quite some time, but there was a time in the mid 70’s when there were two dealers here. I got ahold of a flathead trike in1975 and I rebuilt it with HD parts from Lane County Cycles. Located just a couple of hundred yards up the present location about where the Shell station is now. Howard Bash was who owned it and he was grumpy old fella but he helped me get my motor rebuilt. I don’t know how long he had been there but it seemed then to have been a lifetime. At least at 21 years old, I thought it was. Then on Franklin near Romania Chevrolet there was Hardisty’s Harley- Davidson with Jim Hardisty. Jim was much younger than Howard but I was a youngster compared to Jim but he was patient with a kid who was just a Harley novice. But that is ancient history now. Willamette Valley Motoplex is the place to shop Harley, Indian, Royal Enfield. Whether it’s new or used motorcycles, parts, apparel or service, check them out and tell them that Rusty sent ya...
