Recent broadband contract decision

[Martha Williams]

Greetings,

I recently learned of the County’s decision to reduce the scope of work to be completed by Lumos.  I believe our subdivision is in the group that was cut from the Scope of Work reduction.  Needless to say, we are in serious need of broadband internet connectivity.  My husband, president of the HOA at Array (a subdivision off Orange Grove Road) recently had a conversation with Jim Corrin, a representative for the NC BEAD program.  He confirmed what we knew to be true, that after he communicated with Andrew Stevenson, he learned that the LUMOS finance department had not approved/released funding for running fiber optic cable through our development.  Mr. Corrin also stated that if LUMOS has funding problems, they could always apply for a grant through the BEAD program.  He also stated that individuals and HOAs are not eligible for this funding.

Two actions to facilitate construction are already complete.  (1) There is already a cable junction box at the intersection of Array Drive and Orange Grove Road, and; (2) the developer (Jodi Bakst) provided the Right of Way documentation to LUMOS, and is recorded by the County.

My questions are:  Will we get access to broadband?  If so, what is the timeline?  If not, how can we go about contracting for broadband access?

I have copied all parties mentioned, and the HOA Board of Directors on this email, so they can reply with any clarifications they may want to make.

V/r,

Martha G. Williams

Treasurer, Array HOA

703-217-9601

marti123...@gmail.com

[Jamezetta Bedford]

Ms Williams, 

I am working backwards tonight and so just replied to your husband's email and the group prior to reading your email. Not the news you want to hear. However, we are not giving up on future funding and the Broadband task force will reconvene to bring forward possible paths. 

Jamezetta

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From: Martha Williams <marti123...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 10:31 AM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: Ken Williams <ken.wil...@gmail.com>; Jodi Bakst <Jo...@realestateexperts.net>; Ryan Downey and Jessica Boford <thebear...@gmail.com>; Pedro Gelabert <pg...@sbcglobal.net>; Andrew.S...@lumosfiber.com <Andrew.S...@lumosfiber.com>; James Corrin <jim.c...@nc.gov>; Georgia Dabinett <dabs...@gmail.com>
Subject: Recent broadband contract decision

 

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[Travis Myren]

Mr. Gelabert,

 

We heard back from Lumos late yesterday that service to your neighborhood has been sent to the engineering and construction managers.  I can’t make any promises about the answer, but we know that they are looking at it.

 

I will keep the group updated as soon as we learn more.

 

Travis

 

From: Pedro Gelabert <pg...@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 8:15 AM
To: Jamezetta Bedford <jbed...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: Martha Williams <marti123...@gmail.com>; ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>; Ken Williams <ken.wil...@gmail.com>; Jodi Bakst <Jo...@realestateexperts.net>; and Jessica Boford Ryan Downey <thebear...@gmail.com>; Andrew.S...@lumosfiber.com; James Corrin <jim.c...@nc.gov>; Georgia Dabinett <dabs...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Recent broadband contract decision

 

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Ms Bedford,

 

Our neighborhood has been working with Lumos for the past couple of years to get internet access, but we continue to be dropped from funding consideration after repeated assurances that we were in the list. There is a functional fiber optic box located at the entrance of our street at Orange Grove Rd and Array Dr, only about 0.5 mile away from the homes.

 

As another option, would Lumos/T-Mobile allow homeowners to fund (or coordinate) the cost of installing the remaining stretch of fiber and connect to that box? Since Lumos would not be paying for the fiber installation in this scenario, we believe a service discount would be appropriate to help offset and amortize the homeowner-funded costs.

 

I believe other neighborhoods that were dropped would be interested in a similar option.

 

Best regards,  

 

  Pedro

On Sep 22, 2025, at 10:21 PM, Jamezetta Bedford <jbed...@orangecountync.gov> wrote:



[Martha Williams]

Thank you all for looking into this. We have received conflicting information in the past and appreciate your oversight efforts.  

Martha G. Williams

703-217-9601

marti123...@gmail.com

[Martha Williams]

Thanks for getting g back to me. 

Martha G. Williams

703-217-9601

marti123...@gmail.com

[Jamezetta Bedford]

That's an interesting idea.  Andrew, please can you have this discussed at Lumos and respond to the neighbors directly?  (It would be outside the county agreement with Lumos.) 

Jamezetta

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From: Pedro Gelabert <pg...@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 8:14 AM
To: Jamezetta Bedford <jbed...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: Martha Williams <marti123...@gmail.com>; ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>; Ken Williams <ken.wil...@gmail.com>; Jodi Bakst <Jo...@realestateexperts.net>; and Jessica Boford Ryan Downey <thebear...@gmail.com>; Andrew.S...@lumosfiber.com <Andrew.S...@lumosfiber.com>; James Corrin <jim.c...@nc.gov>; Georgia Dabinett <dabs...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Recent broadband contract decision

 

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Phish Alert Button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

Ms Bedford,

Our neighborhood has been working with Lumos for the past couple of years to get internet access, but we continue to be dropped from funding consideration after repeated assurances that we were in the list. There is a functional fiber optic box located at the entrance of our street at Orange Grove Rd and Array Dr, only about 0.5 mile away from the homes.

As another option, would Lumos/T-Mobile allow homeowners to fund (or coordinate) the cost of installing the remaining stretch of fiber and connect to that box? Since Lumos would not be paying for the fiber installation in this scenario, we believe a service discount would be appropriate to help offset and amortize the homeowner-funded costs.

I believe other neighborhoods that were dropped would be interested in a similar option.

Best regards,  

  Pedro

On Sep 22, 2025, at 10:21 PM, Jamezetta Bedford <jbed...@orangecountync.gov> wrote:



[Jamezetta Bedford]

I had not read all of the morning emails before just responding.  Good to have this info too. 

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From: Travis Myren <tmy...@orangecountync.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 8:24 AM
To: Pedro Gelabert <pg...@sbcglobal.net>; Jamezetta Bedford <jbed...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: Martha Williams <marti123...@gmail.com>; ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>; Ken Williams <ken.wil...@gmail.com>; Jodi Bakst <Jo...@realestateexperts.net>; and Jessica Boford Ryan Downey <thebear...@gmail.com>; Andrew.S...@lumosfiber.com <Andrew.S...@lumosfiber.com>; James Corrin <jim.c...@nc.gov>; Georgia Dabinett <dabs...@gmail.com>
Subject: RE: Recent broadband contract decision