On March 29, 2023

Auditor Hoffer releases report identifying risks to Vt’s universal broadband efforts

State Auditor Doug Hoffer released a new report March 21 highlighting potential risks to Vermont’s unique strategy to achieve universal broadband access.

The Vermont Community Broadband Board is overseeing the distribution of approximately $350 million to extend high speed internet to every unserved address in the state. At the local level, 10 communications union districts (CUDs), which have been formed by groups of Vermont towns, are receiving the funds and partnering with private telecommunications companies to extend fiber to residential and business addresses and to provide service.

“This effort represents one of the largest infrastructure projects in Vermont history,” said Hoffer. “Without the massive infusion of federal funds Vermont has received, we’d be looking at incremental progress, not a universal plan. It is precisely because of the once-in-a-lifetime nature of the level of funding that we can’t afford to make mistakes.”

The report identifies 10 risks the VCBB needs to mitigate to increase the likelihood that every Vermonter will have access to 100/100 Mbps service. The risks range from supply chain issues, to federal spending restrictions, to contract and governance oversight concerns.

“I know that many people, including hundreds of unpaid local volunteers, have been working extremely hard to fill in the broadband gaps left by the large corporate telecom companies,” Hoffer added. “They’ve had to create new organizations, develop business plans, and hire contractors in short order. Our report is meant to support their work by flagging for them and state officials the things that could impede success. Far better to address these concerns before the next $250 million is spent than to regret unforced errors after the fact.”

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

The anticipated ‘Dec. 1 letter’ from the Vermont tax dept. projects 5.9% property tax increase

December 4, 2024
By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger and Polly Mikula Vermonters can expect a 5.9% average increase in education property taxes next year absent major changes, according to the annual forecast from Craig Bolio, Vermont’s tax commissioner. The news arrived Monday, Dec. 2, in the form of the “Dec. 1 letter,” an annual projection required by law that represents the…

Vermont receives $5.3 million in federal grants to expand internet access across the state

November 27, 2024
By Klara Bauters / VTDigger Vermont has been awarded $5.3 million from the federal government to implement its Digital Equity Plan — which outlines how the state will provide individuals and communities with the tools and skills necessary to benefit from meaningful access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service. “Internet and broadband. It’s no longer…

Experts fear Trump environmental policies could undermine Vt’s efforts

November 27, 2024
By Emma Cotton/VTDigger As Donald Trump prepares to return to the presidency, experts worry that his climate and environmental policy goals could destabilize ongoing work in Vermont. The president-elect campaigned on tossing out policies related to climate change and loosening or abandoning environmental regulations. As a small state, Vermont leans on federal funding and regulatory frameworks…

VTSU sees 20% enrollment growth in plumbing, electrical apprenticeship programs

November 27, 2024
As the state kicked off Apprenticeship Week last week, Vermont State University (VTSU) announced that its plumbing and electrical registered apprenticeship programs have grown over 20% in two years. Enrollment for the current academic year is at a record high of over 870 apprentices after multiple years of sustained growth. “Vermont State University is dedicated…