Commissioner update: UltaFiber reports progress on rural broadband — 5,000 homes expected by year end of planned 9,600

In commissioner comments, county officials reported progress on the UltaFiber rural broadband project and a negotiated agreement between UltaFiber and a pole utility (AES). A commissioner said UltaFiber expects to have "a little over 5,000" of about 9,600 homes connected by the end of this year and that the full build has a later deadline (end of 2026) under the contract.

Nut graf: Commissioners described months of coordination among UltaFiber, AES and Broadband Ohio to resolve pole‑attachment and permit issues and said the project has progressed from heavy feeder and front‑load work into the branching phase that will extend service to individual homes.

A commissioner described the agreement as one of two UltaFiber has negotiated with pole utilities in North America and said AES "has more at this point, has more than exceeded what they thought they would do." The transcript records the commissioner saying the buildout target is 9,600 homes with a mid‑year expectation of roughly 5,000 by year end, noting the final completion date extends into 2026 per the contractual commitments.

Background: Commissioners referenced prior meetings and Broadband Ohio coordination. No formal action was taken; the remarks occurred during commissioner comments and were informational.