Broadband

Deschutes County Broadband Needs Assessment

& Action Plan

Internet access is critical economic development infrastructure. This is particularly the case in regions like Central Oregon with a fast-growing technology sector and a large and fast-growing number of remote workers. This need was further exemplified and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent transition to remote learning, remote health, and web-based business and employment models.

All communities and regions should be assessing their current broadband capacity against current and future projected needs for business and economic development, health, and education/training; and identifying public-private partnerships and other actions to improve broadband capacity to meet priority identified needs. Further, communities and regions should be prepared with prioritized infrastructure and access needs in order to maximize new state, federal, philanthropic and private infrastructure investments.

To this end, COIC is managing the development of a Strategic Broadband Needs Assessment, Feasibility Study, and Action Plan for Deschutes County. The primary objective of this project is to provide a strategic and prioritized plan using industry experts and stakeholders to identify broadband needs within Deschutes County. This plan will assist in determining the optimal systems, including hybrid solutions, that will serve the existing and future connection demands into and out of Deschutes County. The outcome of this plan will create a roadmap to identify broadband opportunities by studying geographical terrain, evaluating current assets, and assessing community needs. Reliable internet connection, especially during pandemics and other emergency situations like fires and floods, is needed more than ever. 

About the Deschutes Broadband Action Team (BAT)

COIC has convened a Broadband Action Team (BAT) to oversee the plan development process and to ensure that all relevant partners understand and embrace the findings, and are well-positioned to support implementation. The BAT includes representatives from Deschutes County, COIC, EDCO, Regional Solutions, Internet Service Providers, Business Oregon, utility providers, chambers of commerce, education partners, health partners, and cities. COIC will continue to maintain engagement with statewide entities such as the Business Oregon Broadband Office, LinkOregon, and Oregon Economic Development Districts (OEDD) to ensure that Central Oregon’s priorities are understood by key partners, and to align our work with best practices happening across the state. The first task of the Deschutes BAT will be to select a qualified consultant to develop the plan via an RFP procurement. 

State:
Rep. Daniel Bonham, State of Oregon
County:
Joe Sadony and Kevin Furlong, Deschutes County
Sarah Thompson, Deschutes County Library
Tony DeBone, Deschutes County Commissioner
Cities:
Ben Hemson, City of Bend
Geoff Wullschlager, City of La Pine
Michael Preedin, City of Sisters
George Endicott, City of Redmond
Chambers of Commerce:
Ann Gawith, La Pine Chamber
Eric Sande, Redmond Chamber
TBD, Bend Chamber
Economic Development:
Don Myll, EDCO
Capi Lewis, Business Oregon
Emergency Management:
John Spring, Deschutes County 911
Transportation:
Dave Hirsch, ODOT
Internet Service Providers:
Dick Luebke, Sunriver Homeowner’s Association & Mid-State Electric Co-op
Josh Richesin, Sureline Broadband
Joseph Franell, Blue Mountains Network
Leif Hanson/Mark Myers, LS Networks
Gail Long/Nicole Christensen, TDS  
Jared Wiener, Lumen
Jacob Roe-Bauer, COIX
Agriculture:
Jennifer Oppenlander, OSU Extension
John Holman, USDA
Education:
Kelly Sparks, OSU-Cascades
Rutila Galvan-Rodriquez, HDESD
Medical:
Lindsey Stailing, Mosaic Medical
Tim Salvage, Pacific Source
Nonprofits
Andrew Spreadborough, NeighborImpact

The Deschutes BAT regularly meets on the second Wednesday of even months from 3-5pm. Meeting materials will be posted here approximately one week before each meeting.

Contact us

Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)

1250 NE Bear Creek Rd.
Bend, OR 97701

541-548-8163

View all locations ways to contact us.