Erie County, NY – Republican Erie County Legislators voiced concerns about ErieNet, and the costs associated with implementation. At an Economic Development Committee meeting Thursday, June 4, Republican lawmakers questioned why ErieNet, the county operated fiber optic broadband network, is still not functioning seven years after construction was started. The broadband network is owned by Erie County, but ErieNet, a not-for-profit local development corporation, manages and controls it.
“We are seven years in, and what do we have to show for it? Nothing,” said Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro. “This just goes to show you that government should not be in this business.”
There was no competitive bidding process conducted, and county employees who also serve on the ErieNet board were advocating for its implementation. Without an RFP (Request For Proposal) process there is no way of knowing what other providers would be interested in presenting competitive bids. In addition, ErieNet has no track record at this time, so we are uncertain of how well it would operate.
Approximately forty-million dollars have been spent over the past seven years building the network, which is still not operational. Additionally, with the development of innovative advancements like Starlink, the need for ErieNet may at some point go away. Starlink uses thousands of low earth orbit satellites, where an antenna directly connects to those passing satellites.
“Where is the cost savings that the Administration keeps telling us will happen with ErieNet? We have paid tens of millions of dollars and still nothing. We need to have certainty with the internet, especially given the fact our emergency system would be tied into it,” said Erie County Legislator Chris Greene.
“ErieNet has missed deadline after deadline and still has not delivered on the promises made to taxpayers. Now we are being asked to move forward without competitive bidding to commit even more public resources to a system that has yet to prove itself,” said Erie County Legislator Lindsay Lorigo.
