September 2019 - Discussions begin on how to improve broadband access in the Shoals.
September 2019 - Discussions begin on how to improve broadband access in the Shoals.
January 2022 - Steps taken to form legal entity to pursue broadband grant funding.
February 2022 - Multiple entities invited to join the Greater Shoals Broadband Cooperative District (GSBCD). (Email)
May 9, 2022 - The first official GSBCD board meeting occurred May 9, 2022. The group discussed local funding sources that could be used for the project including money the cities and the counties possess, money the utilities possess, and the SEDF money.
August 15, 2022 - All 4 municipal electric utility managers meet with Tombigbee Communications (aka Freedom Fiber) CEO Steve Foshee. The Managers were asked to waive charges or "swap checks" with Tombigbee, related to pole attachment fees and "make ready" work, to facilitate broadband development. All 4 utilities rejected the offer. (Email)
August 30, 2022 - GSBCD Board Meeting. A vote was taken to explore a potential partnership with Freedom Fiber. GSBCD Board members were informed this vote was only to convey interest in proceeding and any contractual agreement with Freedom Fiber would be provided to the GSBCD Board. GSBCD Board members would have an opportunity to review and vote on the contractual agreement. Vote was unanimous to proceed. (Email)
September 26, 2022 - GSBCD Board member request for additional information before meeting. (Email)
September 26, 2022 - GSBCD Board was asked to vote on submitting an NTIA grant application that included a partnership with Freedom Fiber if awarded. Multiple GSBCD Board members requested more information on the funding, ownership structure and grant requirements. No additional documentation was provided (only the bullet points on September 25). 3 GSBCD Board members voted NO (Jeff McDonald, Matt Bernauer, Richard Morrissey). The NTIA grant application submission passed by majority vote.
October 6, 2022 - 7 days after NTIA grant submitted Jim Blasingame explains why no GSBCD Board member can review the document. (Email)
November 2, 2022 - GSBCD Board member response to Jim Blasingame's lack of documentation. (Email)
December 6, 2022 - GSBCD Board meeting. Tombigbee presented several slides with information about the existing NTIA grant application. The NTIA application was not made available for the GSBCD Board to review. One slide presented included a page from the NTIA application that listed Tombigbee as the applicant. A GSBCD Board member questioned if GSBCD was listed as a co-applicant. The answer was no. Another GSBCD Board member questioned if a document existed to define the relationship between GSBCD and Tombigbee. The answer was no document existed. (Email)
December 19, 2022 - The City of Tuscumbia and the City of Muscle Shoals each unanimously passed resolutions requesting removal from the GSBCD. (Document)
December 20, 2022 - The Muscle Shoals Electric Board unanimously passed a resolution requesting removal from the GSBCD. The City of Florence voted 3-3 for immediate consideration to request removal from the GSBCD.
January 3, 2023 - The City of Florence voted 3-3 to request removal from the GSBCD (Will remain a member of GSBCD without majority vote to request removal).
January 20, 2023 - The GSBDC voted unanimously to approve a resolution recommending an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to allow the withdrawal of the City of Tuscumbia, the City of Muscle Shoals and the Muscle Shoals Electric Board. All 8 original incorporating entities must agree to amend the Articles of Incorporation. (Email) (Document)
February 20, 2023 -
February 21, 2023 -