Chamber details Internet broadband development plan for county
Friday, February 20, 2009, 12:41pm
CANTON – The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and the Development Authority of the North Country are moving ahead with their Internet broadband initiative by seeking service providers for the Raymondville/Brasher area, the Waddington/Madrid area, and the Morristown area.
The proposals call for developing existing broadband capability through local access.
Requests have gone out to 10 individual regional Internet service providers seeking proposals that provide Internet service. All proposals are due back to the chamber by March 13.
“The purpose,” said County Chamber Executive Director Pat McKeown, “is to encourage economic development in the unserved or underserved areas of St. Lawrence County. It’s nearly impossible to run a business with inadequate Internet service. This initiative will start to change that.”
The three initial target areas are in Raymondville and Brasher, Waddington and Madrid, and the Morristown region.
“All these primary phase projects have been carefully selected to tie existing broadband service to new implementations in order to create a seamless network of high speed Internet access in all directions along Route 37,” McKeown said.
The Brasher project will encompass Brasher Falls north to Massena, east to Helena, and west to Raymondville.
The Waddington/Norfolk Region starts at Big Sucker Brook, then south past the Madrid-Waddington School to the Potsdam Town line, east to Main Street, Norfolk, north on Route 56 through Raymondville to 37B, west on Route 37.
The Morristown Regional Project will target Morristown, Morristown Center, along Black Lake to Lost Village, north to Route 37, west past Jacques Cartier State Park, south through Brier Hill to Cedars.
All Internet service providers must submit a complete response to the RFP although they may respond to one or more of the target areas.
The proposals must include a summary that addresses the company’s commitment to expanding broadband reach in St. Lawrence County.
Responders are also being asked how they expect their business model to recoup the capital investment and how it provides for the viability in the business model.
The successful bidders will also describe the areas of responsibility in construction and ongoing support of each partner, and describe the technology that will be used for the broadband network.
Bidders will also detail the maximum and minimum download and upload speeds expected for customers, a coverage map, and a schedule.
Preference will given to local and regional service providers.
Vendor selection will be made by April 17. All work must be complete by May 4 with service to customers beginning Nov. 1, 2009.
For technical information and a copy of the RFP, contact Dave Wolf, DANC, 785-2593.
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