HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Fiber Connectivity Grant Memo
January 10, 2018
TO: Downtown URD Board
FR: Chris Naumann
RE: Downtown Fiber Infrastructure
The most pressing fiber infrastructure need downtown is lowering the costs of the ‘last
mile’ connection between the various fiber ‘backbones’ and buildings downtown. The ‘fiber backbones’ available downtown include the City owned conduit (which the
URD funded), Bozeman Fiber’s aerial alley runs, and the private fiber networks owned
by Spectrum and CenturyLink. The ‘last mile’ connection to these networks usually
range between 20 and 150 feet but typically cost thousands of dollars to construct and install.
I have developed the “Downtown Fiber Connectivity Grant Program”, which essentially
replicates the URD’s existing “Life-Safety Grant Program”. The Life-Safety grant
provides a partial financial reimbursement for the construction and installation of a dedicated fire line from the water main to the building. Similarly, the Fiber Connectivity grant would provide a partial reimbursement for the cost to connect a building to an
existing fiber network. Again, similar to the Life-Safety program, this grant will result in
the construction of permanent infrastructure.
Recognizing building connectivity as the most significant fiber infrastructure need and considering the Downtown Fiber Connectivity Grant Program is based on an
established and successful URD financial incentive, I would like to utilize the FY2018
“Downtown Broadband Infrastructure” budget ($115,000) to fund this grant program.
Please review the provided Downtown Fiber Connectivity Grant Program document for details.