Rural Broadband Project
Polk County Rural Broadband Projects
Latest Update: January 2024
For the past several years Polk County has undertaken a variety of projects that will improve access to internet services for rural residents in Polk County.
Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Preparation:
2024-Present
Polk County is coordinating with rural broadband providers in preparing for projects to be funded by the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Act as managed by the Oregon Broadband Office.
Broadband Technical Assistance (BTAP) Grant
2024-Present
Polk County was awarded a Broadband Technical Assistance (BTAP) grant by the Oregon Broadband Office to support rural broadband planning activities in Polk County including review of ISP Activity in rural Polk County, updating the rural broadband strategic plan, participating in digital equity programs, and supporting the BEAD challenge process.
Bethel Heights Broadband Project (ISP: Alyrica)
2024-Present
This project will provide the residents of the Bethel Heights priority area in Northeast Polk County with access to broadband internet services. This project will utilize new wireless technology to provide access to high-speed broadband internet services. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
SW Dallas Fiber Project (ISP: MINET)
2023-Present
This is an on-going project that will provide access to broadband fiber based internet service to 300 residents in the rural SW Dallas. Phase 1 and 2 or this project are currently being completed. Phase 3 will be completed by July 2025.
FCC Challenge Process (PAgCASA)
2023
Under contract to Polk County, PAgCASA completed a project to support the FCC Broadband challenge process using industry standard monitoring devices. The small study results indicated that in most cases Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) are accurately reporting services in rural Polk County.
Clow Corner/Rickreall Fiber Project (ISP: MINET)
2023
This completed project provides broadband fiber based internet service access to 120 residents and two community anchor institutions (CAI’s) in Rickreall and the Clow Corner/Greenwood Road/Hwy 51 priority area.
NW Dallas Broadband Project (ISP: Alyrica)
2023
This completed project provides improved point-to-point based broadband internet service access to over 600 residents in the area Northwest Dallas priority area. This project utilized new wireless technology provides access to high-speed internet services.
Falls City Survey (ISP: MINET)
2022
The Falls City community was surveyed to better understand the interest in obtaining new fiber services. The surveys were compiled and a report completed in Early July. Survey results indicate that Falls City residents and business owners currently have broadband service that exceeds 100/20 mbps.
Broadband RFP
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 to complete $2.2 million in projects to improve services to rural Polk County residents.
Updated Rural Internet Access Survey
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. The survey results indicated while services are improving that rural broadband services in Polk County are still lacking and are needed to meet a wide variety of uses.
Countywide Point-To-Point Project (ISP: Alyrica)
2020
As a result of successfully applying for a grant from Polk County, Alyrica Networks completed a Polk County Infrastructure Project as of 12/30/2020. Alyrica installed six new point-to-point towers which allows over 90% of the rural Polk County residents to have access to improved internet services. While this project did not meet current broadband performance standards it significantly improved services for many rural residents.
Broadband Workshop
12/2019
An invitation was sent out to the public and regional ISP’s inviting them to a workshop meeting in December 2019 to discuss the results of the survey. The meeting was well attended by regional ISP providers and provided valuable insight into developing strategies for improving broadband service in rural Polk County.
Rural Internet Access Survey 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. The survey results indicate that rural broadband services in Polk County are lacking and are needed to meet a wide variety of uses.
