Nebraska Public Service Commission denies funding for public-private broadband partnership

The Nebraska Public Service Commission denied funding for an innovative public-private partnership to expand broadband infrastructure. The implications of that decision for other entities considering similar partnerships -- such as Platte County (NE) and Loup -- remain unclear.  The Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act set up a fund of $40 million to be awarded to broadband infrastructure projects in Nebraska by the public service commission. The $40 million will be distributed in two grant cycles, one in 2021 and the other in 2022. There was $20 million up for grabs in the 2021 cycle. As part of the grant award process, the commission allowed internet service providers to file challenges to grant applications which, if upheld, made the application ineligible for funding. The commission's decision on this unique Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program funding application will be a topic of conversation at an upcoming private meeting, which will include local entities that have signed on to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at broadband infrastructure development. The MOU proposes investigating the development of a relationship between the public entities on the MOU with a private telecommunications company to expand broadband in the region.