PORT ORFORD — Beacon Broadband, Inc. (BBI), a subsidiary of Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative, hosted Seth Thompson, Broadband Project Coordinator from the Oregon Broadband Office (OBO), on Friday, December 5th, at the cooperative's Port Orford office.

The project spotlight meeting brought together state officials, local legislators, and community leaders to discuss progress on the $18.6 million Broadband Deployment Program (BDP) grant project, which is bringing high-speed fiber internet to underserved areas across Coos and Curry Counties.

The event drew strong participation from state and local leaders, including Oregon State Senator David Brock Smith and State Representative Court Boice, demonstrating solid legislative support for rural broadband expansion. Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative/Beacon Broadband, Inc. board members Daryl Robison, Cheryl McMahon, and John Herzog were in attendance.

Also present was Jill te Velde, Dean of Curry Campus at Southern Oregon Community College, underscoring the educational importance of reliable internet access in rural areas.

Bill Gerski, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Beacon Broadband, opened the meeting by reflecting on the passion and culture that have driven the project forward. "This initiative began with a positive decision from the Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative Board of Directors to pursue Beacon Broadband," Gerski explained. "The culture of strong leadership - from CEO Brent Bischoff and our Board of Directors - has created the dedication we see from the entire staff at Beacon Broadband, Inc."

Gerski's remarks set the tone for discussions that would emphasize not only the technical and financial aspects of the project but also the organizational commitment and community focus that have made it possible.

The Phase 2 South Coast Project represents a major infrastructure investment for the region. Funded by an $18,679,660 grant from the Oregon Broadband Office through the U.S. Department of Treasury's Broadband Deployment Program, the project will bring fiber optic internet service to 1,178 locations across Coos and Curry Counties that currently lack adequate broadband access.

Brent Bischoff, CEO of both Beacon Broadband and Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative, expressed appreciation for the journey in securing grant funding. He went on to discuss the financial challenges of managing large federal infrastructure projects. He discussed the challenges of managing cash flow while awaiting federal reimbursements and emphasized the economic development benefits the project will bring to underserved areas. "This infrastructure will enable remote work, distance education, and telehealth services that are increasingly essential for rural communities," Bischoff noted.

Val Early, Grant Management Specialist for Beacon Broadband, offered insights into the complex federal compliance framework governing the project. Early explained that the BDP program involves coordination among multiple entities: the U.S. Department of Treasury as the funding source and audit authority, the Oregon Broadband Office as the state administrator, and CTC as the technical compliance contractor interpreting Treasury requirements.

Early specifically acknowledged the collaborative partnership Beacon has built with Seth Thompson and the Oregon Broadband Office (OBO) team. "Seth and I are in regular contact, working through compliance questions and clarifying documentation requirements. That ongoing communication has been invaluable," she said. "We're grateful for OBO's support and for the BDP funding that's making this project possible."

Thompson, representing the OBO, discussed the contract compliance requirements and the state's role in administering federal broadband funding. Thompson acknowledged the significant permitting and regulatory challenges that rural broadband providers face, particularly the complexities of coordinating with multiple federal agencies and navigating agreements with third-party pole owners. He also addressed the timeline pressures inherent in federal grant programs, noting the importance of meeting deadlines while managing the unpredictable nature of rural infrastructure deployment. His presentation provided context on how Oregon is working to ensure federal broadband investments are deployed effectively across the state's rural communities.

Preston Young, Director of Operations for Beacon Broadband, along with Operations Coordinator Kayla Stebbins and Senior Network Engineer Rafael Mesa Solorio, provided updates on construction timelines and network implementation. The team presented maps showing BDP service areas, discussed mainline construction progress, and outlined the timeline for completing drops to individual locations.

Following the presentations, Solorio hosted a tour of Beacon's Port Orford hub facility, where attendees were able to see firsthand the technical infrastructure supporting the fiber network. Visitors commented on both the complexity of the systems and the exceptional cleanliness and organization of the facility, reflecting the professionalism and attention to detail that characterizes Beacon's operations.

Brock Smith engaged actively throughout the presentations, asking detailed questions about federal permitting compliance requirements and the challenges Beacon faces in working with third-party pole owners. His questions highlighted the regulatory complexity of deploying fiber infrastructure in rural areas where utility pole access and coordination with existing infrastructure owners can significantly impact project timelines.

Smith also took time to thank Beacon Broadband and Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative for their commitment to the community. He emphasized the importance of providing young people with the opportunity to stay in the area through enhanced work opportunities made possible by the availability of high-speed fiber internet. "This infrastructure isn't just about internet access - it's about creating a future where our youth can build careers and lives here on the South Coast," Smith noted.

Boice focused his remarks on the tangible benefits the project will bring to rural communities on the South Coast. He acknowledged the unique construction challenges of building broadband infrastructure in remote, often difficult-to-access areas, while emphasizing the transformative impact reliable high-speed internet will have on economic opportunity, education, and quality of life for residents in previously underserved areas. To underscore just how remote some of the service areas are, Boice invited Thompson to return and experience the true rurality of the region by visiting connected locations up the Rogue River, accessible only by boat.

Jill te Velde of Curry Campus at Southern Oregon Community College (SWOCC), brought attention to the critical importance of broadband access for senior citizens in rural communities. She emphasized SWOCC's ongoing commitment to the Connected Senior program, established by Gerski and Beacon, which provides technology training and support to older adults across their campus locations. Te Velde noted that reliable broadband infrastructure is essential for seniors to access telehealth services, stay connected with family, and participate in online learning opportunities - services that become increasingly vital in rural areas where transportation and distance can be significant barriers.

During the meeting, Beacon leadership addressed the ongoing challenge of maintaining rural broadband infrastructure. "The economics are different than urban markets - we have longer distances, fewer subscribers per mile, and higher maintenance costs," Early noted. "As new federal funding opportunities emerge, we'd welcome the chance to partner with OBO again, both to extend service to remaining gaps in our territory and to support the long-term sustainability of the networks we're building now."

The meeting concluded with a group photo and renewed commitment from all parties to completing the project by its September 2026 deadline.