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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA MEMORANDUM TO: Indian River County Board of County Commissioners FROM: Jason E. Brown, County Administrator SUBJECT: Local Technology Planning Team Recommendation DATE: October 12, 2022 BACKGROUND: In July 2020, the Florida Office of Broadband was established within DEO's Division of Community Development to increase the availability and effectiveness of broadband Internet throughout the state. The amendment of Section 288.9961, Florida Statutes, and creation of Sections 288.9962 and 288.9963, Florida Statutes, provides DEO access to federal grant dollars and assists rural communities with the expansion of broadband services, as well as provides directives for broadband mapping and the Broadband Opportunity Program. In May, 2021 the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners commissioned a broadband study to be conducted by Magellan -Advisors, Inc. The purpose of the study was to detail the options for improving the broadband environment based on the available infrastructure assets, resources and public policy tools. In September 2021, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) launched the Local Technology Planning Team initiative using the Broadband Planning Toolkit developed by the Office of Broadband. Local Technology Planning Teams are tasked with working within their communities to understand their current broadband availability, locate unserved and underserved businesses and residents, identify assets relevant to broadband deployment, build partnerships with broadband service providers, and identify opportunities to leverage assets and reduce barriers to the deployment of broadband Internet services in the community. ANALYSIS The broadband study conducted by Magellan -Advisors for the County followed the nine -step process outlined in the Broadband Planning Toolkit. That report has been shared with the Florida Office of Broadband. The study serves as an excellent starting point and does provide recommendations for addressing the near term needs for two underserved areas of Indian River County. However, in order to better align with the Local Technology Planning Team (LPTP) structure recommended by the Broadband Planning Toolkit and to address longer-term broadband planning for Indian River County, staff recommends designating the existing Indian River County Economic Development Council (EDC) to serve as the LTPT for Indian River County. The current Indian River County EDC membership closely aligns with LTPT representation recommendations outlined in the Broadband Planning Toolkit, which are included below for reference. Industry Sector: Qualifier/Purpose: Examples: Libraries Education & Information • County Director of Libraries Access K12 Education Public & Private • Superintendent of Schools • School Board Member(s) • College/University Re resentative s