§ 49-53. Advanced broadband infrastructure investment program.

(a)

General requirements. Pursuant to the provisions set forth in this section, the county establishes an advanced broadband infrastructure investment program providing payments (hereinafter the "payment") to offset the costs associated with the installation or upgrade of advanced broadband infrastructure in commercial and industrial buildings to encourage the relocation and/or expansion of high-wage targeted industries. The payment is a local option economic incentive for new or upgraded advanced broadband infrastructure projects that may be approved at the sole discretion of the board.

(1)

Application process. Any business owner seeking eligibility through the advanced broadband infrastructure investment program will file an application with the county manager requesting participation in the program. The application will be filed prior to the business owner making the decision to invest in the advanced broadband infrastructure. The application must contain the following:

a.

The name and address of the business owner; and

b.

A current and complete legal description of the site upon which the project is proposed to be located; and

c.

The type of business proposed, using Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) or North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS); and

d.

The total cost incurred by the business to enable broadband services, including but not limited to: 1) charges assessed by the service provider for establishing and/or extending the service provider's broadband infrastructure, and 2) customer premise equipment and structured wiring required to support broadband services; and

e.

The date (month and year) when the project will be substantially complete; and

f.

The number of full-time employee positions to be created and retained as a result of the project; and

g.

The average wage of those positions created and retained; and

h.

The total capital investment of the expansion or relocation project, including land, building and equipment costs.

(2)

Agreement. If the proposed project meets the requirements under the advanced broadband infrastructure investment program as set forth in this article, the board may approve an agreement granting participation by, and payments to, a business owner. No precedent is to be implied or inferred by such payments to a new or expanding business. Applications for participation will be considered by the board on a case-by-case basis for each application.

(Ord. No. 2005-56, § 1)