WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONER APPROVE CO-OP AGREEMENT FOR BROADBAND SERVICES

  

Washington County will be getting broadband services thanks to an agreement with the Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG).

The Washington County Commissioners approved an agreement during their meeting today (Tuesday) which allows the county to enter into a co-op with six other counties.

“This is going to provide more broadband services at a lower cost for the county” said Washington County Judge John Brieden.

The $22 million project, funded by the Brazos Valley Council of Governments and the Healthcare Connect Fund, will establish broadband services in hospitals, schools, and jails.

County commissioner Joy Fuchs says the BVCOG decided to establish the network after phone companies in the area refused to expand broadband services:

The high-speed network, shaped like a figure eight, will run through Washington, Burleson, Grimes, Madison, Leon, Brazos, and Robertson counties.

While the network will be available to healthcare providers- including school nurses and jail clinics- the broadband services will likely not be available to citizens of Washington County.

“The only thing that would potentially be allowed is once the whole system is set up, if there is enough extra space and a company comes in and says ‘we will sell to citizens’ that could potentially happen” said Judge Brieden.

The fiber optic loop project expected to be complete in approximately two years.