Centranet LLC

PROJECT PURPOSE

Payne County is over 34% rural. Most of the rural population does not have access to high speed internet. This takes a heavy social and economic toll on the residents keeping them from participating in remote work, distance learning and the digital economy. This is especially true during the time of the ongoing pandemic. Centranet in Collaboration with Payne County is requesting funds from the State of Oklahoma and are committed to build FTTH to most rural household in Payne County. This is a last mile project that will provide access to up to gigabit speed broadband to approximately 25,000 residents of rural Payne County. We are requesting $25,903,943.80 from the state for this project and will invest $11,101,690.20 of our money to complete the project.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Payne County has a poverty rate of 27%. In rural Payne County this poverty rate is much higher. While the cities in Payne County have access to somewhat fast and affordable internet, the residents in rural areas have extremely slow internet delivered to them using either Fixed Wireless platforms or Satellite. The effect of Covid has been disproportionate in rural Payne County for this reason.This service is also much more expensive than what is available in cities. Centranet is proposing to build Fiber to the Home to most residents of rural Payne County to allow them to engage in remote work, distance learning and the digital economy.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The project performance will be measured by milestones during a 12 month time-frame. These milestones are discussed in detail in the Project Narrative Document that is attached. The project will be completed within 12 months.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma