Rural Broadband Project
Latest Update:
May 12, 2022
Clow Corner/Rickreall (ISP: Minet): This project will be used to provide residents of the Clow Corner/Greenwood Road/Hwy 51 priority area and Rickreall with Fiber Based Internet services. Engineering/design is nearing completion and equipment is being ordered. This project is on time and it is anticipated that the project will be completed by the end of 2023.
Falls City Survey (ISP: Minet): The community is currently being surveyed to better understand the interest in obtaining new fiber services. The surveys will be compiled and a report completed in Early July. Falls City residents and business owners are currently being encouraged to take an on-line survey currently available on the Falls City Web Page (https://www.fallscityoregon.gov/)
NW Dallas (Project ISP: Alyrica): This project will be used to provide improved point-to-point services in the area Northwest of Dallas. This project will utilize new wireless technology to provide access to high-speed internet services. At this time, Alyrica is securing sites for tower construction and purchasing needed equipment. This project is on-time and it is anticipated the project will be completed in the first quarter of 2023.
SW Dallas: This project will provide residents in the SW Dallas area fiber based internet services. This project is still in the scoping phase which should be completed by the end of May.
Previous Activities...
1/2022: The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved the recommendations of the County Rural Broadband Committee on January 18th, and directed staff to enter into contract negotiations with the selected internet service providers.
10/2021: As a follow-up to the overwhelming public response to the 2019 Rural Broadband Survey, Polk County again met with Internet Service Providers in July of 2021 to identify potential future projects and methodologies for identifying the rural underserved in Polk County. As a result of this meeting, Polk County conducted another mail-in survey which was completed in September 2021. Results of the 2021 Broadband Survey.
1/2021: Alyrica broadband update: As a result of successfully applying for a grant from Polk County, Alyrica Networks completed a Polk County Broadband Infrastructure Project as of 12/30/2020. Alyrica Broadband Project Summary.
12/2019: An invitation was sent out to the public inviting them to a workshop meeting in December 2019 to discuss the results of the survey. December meeting Summary.
7/2019: Polk County sent out over 5,000 surveys to rural property owners outside the city limits of Dallas, West Salem, Monmouth, and Independence. Property owners were asked to complete the survey and mail it in or go to the County website and complete the survey online. The number of survey respondents was overwhelming as approximately 32% of property owners responded. 2019 Rural Broadband Summary Results.
