Harney County leaders said March 5 they are finishing administrative steps to position the county for federal and state broadband funding, even though no broadband-provider bids have been received for local projects in recent federal rounds.

County Judge Bill Hart and staff praised Executive Assistant Holly York for managing the paperwork required by the Oregon Broadband Office and federal BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) grant processes. They said prequalification steps — including county submissions and council approvals — do not guarantee awards but preserve Harney County’s ability to be included if funding or project windows open later.

Hart noted the state and federal posture toward technology is shifting and said counties should register and prequalify now to remain eligible for varying project types that may include fiber, wireless or hybrid solutions. He said the county has not been awarded major BEAD funds yet but that the prequalification signals interest and prevents being excluded from future opportunities.

Commissioners and staff discussed how different technologies may be favored in future funding rounds; one speaker observed that federal direction may leave room for satellite or wireless solutions when fiber is impractical. County staff said the prequalification materials require counsel review and that submission is imminent.

Officials asked the local internet-service providers and community groups to be ready to act if opportunities to bid appear, and they said they will continue to monitor federal and state guidance and maintain documents to support future applications.