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David Bottar, executive director of the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, made a more urgent ask for the funding at the county Legislature meeting Tuesday. He initially requested $7 million from the county in June 2024, when the board applied for a $29.5 million state grant to support the broadband expansion project.

In November, the state awarded $26.1 million for the project, which aims to expand high-speed internet access to unserved areas in Cayuga and Cortland counties.

The Cayuga County Legislature committed to the project in December, but has not provided its share of the funding.

The Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, according to Bottar, is working through the state's legal process to advance the broadband expansion plan.

"We're under some very, very tight deadlines to get the project funded," he said.

Although the state awarded the grant, the funding was provided by the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act. ARPA funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.

That gives the regional planning board a short time period to get the project done. While it's possible to be substantially completed by the end of 2026, Bottar explained the board needs funding from Cayuga and Cortland counties to cover various expenses, such as purchasing the fiber and obtaining the permits to install the fiber lines on utility poles.

The permitting process can take six to nine months, according to Bottar. Once the permits are provided, the buildout of the fiber network can begin in summer 2026. Bottar said it will take four months for that phase of the project.

"We gotta get going," Bottar continued. "We can't wait any longer."

Among the issues raised as the board moves forward with the project is the availability of the grant. The Trump administration has been taking action to eliminate agencies or make significant cuts to federal funding. However, the broadband aid has remained unaffected. Bottar noted the state has already received its first payment to support broadband expansion.

There was also the possibility that Cortland County would withdraw from the project. The county Legislature there held a special meeting last week to consider a resolution that would've ended its role in the broadband project. The basis of the resolution was the county's fiscal situation.

However, Cortland County legislators rejected the resolution and remain committed to the project.

Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Anna said the county would provide the $7 million to the regional planning board through a bond anticipation note. The county Legislature did not vote on the funding at its meeting Tuesday.

As Bottar stated at a previous meeting, the county will be reimbursed, with interest, for its investment in the project. The state grant can be used to reimburse counties for their share of the funding. He expects that the counties will be fully reimbursed by summer 2027 after the project is completed.

The construction of the 275-mile fiber network will enable internet service providers to connect businesses and homes to high-speed internet. Bottar estimated that the project will reach 75% of the unserved population in Cayuga and Cortland counties.