Superior Hires Company As First Step in Connect Superior Broadband Plan

Leaders with the City of Superior took their first step in the plan towards an eventual fiber optic network, allowing for more competitive broadband in the community.  The City Council approved hiring Magellan Advisors as part of the first phase of the Connect Superior plan.

Based out of Colorado, Magellan Avisors will help Superior build the necessary foundational fiber optic network needed for that competitive broadband high-speed internet.  Magellan beat out one other competitor for the bid.  EntryPoint Networks - who has helped Superior put the master plan together - had also submitted a bid, but wasn't chosen.

A big part of the reason Magellan Advisors was chosen was their background.  In an article in the Superior Telegram [paywall], Superior City Council President Tylor Elm explains:

"Some of the reasons we ended up choosing Magellan included they are a very stable organization with a proven track record.  They have a large, professional team to work with all aspects of the project.  They've worked with over 400 municipalities and connected over one million homes.  Keep in mind, this was all done prior to the grant funding that is available now."

With the selection of a vendor to lead the charge, the Connect Superior project will now advance forward.  While the city council did make the vote to go forward, there was discussion about what would happen if the total cost of the project goes north of the $31 million allocated in the broadband master plan.  Mayor Jim Paine assured councilors that there is a "relief button" built in; "[T]he first phase is an ongoing evaluation and if the project is not feasible.....the city could bail at any point".