Idaho Broadband Office Gets a Lot Done with a Small Staff

Spend a little time with Idaho State Broadband Program Manager Ramón Hobdey-Sánchez and it’s easy to see his enthusiasm for his home state. “I have a passion for public service and there are few things that I love more than the State of Idaho,” Hobdey-Sánchez said. “Broadband and internet connectivity is something that we can all agree is good for individuals, communities, and the state. Whether it is improving the economy or delivering access to things previously unavailable.” It’s a good thing that Hobdey-Sánchez has a positive, half-full attitude because until recently, he’s been the sole member of Idaho’s Office of Broadband. Despite this, Hobdey-Sánchez and the Idaho “office” accomplished quite a bit in 2023, including tentatively awarding $119 million in Capital Projects Fund (CPF) dollars to 14 different applicants for 17 separate projects. Hobdey-Sánchez anticipates that CPF funds will connect approximately 35,000 homes and businesses. Earlier in 2023, Idaho awarded more than $26 million to projects that included a north-south middle mile backbone to connect commercial, non-profits, local communities, and rural internet providers.