Robust broadband infrastructure has been a foundation of local and statewide economic development for decades. Public policy makers recognize that high-speed connectivity is a prerequisite for education, remote work, small business operations, and attracting and retaining enterprise.
That paradigm is becoming even more apparent as artificial intelligence (AI) applications and data center expansion drive unprecedented demand for high-capacity network connectivity. Indeed, a new form of digital divide is emerging at the community, regional, and state levels: Jurisdictions that lack the fiber infrastructure necessary to support data centers, enterprise connectivity customers, and residential AI users risk falling behind economically as investment flows to areas better positioned to meet these demands.
The convergence of AI-driven computing demands and cloud services growth has created substantial new requirements for resilient, high-capacity, low-latency fiber network connectivity.
Local and state governments that position themselves to support this expansion stand to attract significant private investment, create employment opportunities, and establish their jurisdictions as technology hubs capable of competing in the digital economy.
CTC has decades of experience in conducting the type of strategic analysis, grant program implementation, network engineering, grid resilience planning, and partnership development that public entities need to achieve their AI and data center-supportive goals.
Business model and economic development strategy
We help local and state governments develop strategic frameworks that transform fiber infrastructure investments into catalysts for economic growth, including in efforts to attract data center developments when that type of investment aligns with public goals.
Our approach recognizes that fiber investment alone does not guarantee economic returns; we work with public sector clients to develop a comprehensive strategy that aligns infrastructure planning with market realities and policy objectives.
We assist clients in developing partnership frameworks that can attract private investment alongside public funding, whether through public-private partnerships, anchor tenant arrangements, or other collaborative models. We also help clients craft incentive packages and marketing strategies that effectively communicate their community’s value proposition to ISPs, data center developers, and other potential investors.
Grant program strategy & development
CTC designs strategic grant programs to achieve clients’ infrastructure goals such as deployment of AI-supporting infrastructure. We help state and local governments develop and implement broadband grant programs to effectively deploy federal grant funds. This type of effort will be a critical success factor for state and local government entities that secure funding for AI and data center-supportive infrastructure.
Working with our clients, we establish broadband grant program requirements, develop application materials, document evaluation criteria, and define application scoring mechanisms.
Following standard operating procedures, we conduct programmatic and technical reviews of grant applications (with all technical work overseen by licensed Professional Engineers), assign scores, oversee application curing processes, and recommend award decisions.
We also advise on other aspects of broadband grant program development, such as defining grant program specifications, designating funding areas that align with state and federal requirements, implementing cost optimization models, documenting applicant qualifications, and defining data standards and reporting requirements for grant-funded programs.
Grant program administration & oversight
We help state broadband offices and other public sector clients plan and execute broadband grant programs. Our work includes technical consultation and operational support such as assessing the feasibility and sustainability of applicants’ proposed network infrastructure projects. We also deliver general grant advisory services, oversight, compliance support, and reporting assistance to help states properly administer and manage their grant programs in accordance with federal guidelines and requirements (including NEPA and NHPA Section 106).
We develop custom processes and tools like quarterly reporting templates, risk evaluation frameworks, and non-compliance scorecards. We also conduct outreach to applicants and awardees to address and cure deficiencies in their grant materials.
Grid resilience planning
Grid resilience, like fiber, will be essential for the public sector to attract data center investment. CTC has a history of advising utilities on their communications infrastructure needs and understands how to bridge fiber network planning and electric grid resilience planning in support of data center site identification and buildout. Our engineers and analysts play a key role in advising public entities on issues that touch both fiber network and electric grid planning.
Fiber network design and engineering
Strategically designed fiber infrastructure is a key requirements for data center and AI-enabling infrastructure development. We have designed, engineered, facilitated permitting, and overseen the construction of thousands of miles of middle-mile and last-mile outside plant fiber, including for statewide middle-mile networks and municipal fiber-to-the-premises initiatives. We design resilient, high-capacity, low-latency fiber and network interconnection infrastructure.
CTC prepares high-level network designs and cost estimates to inform feasibility analyses, project planning, partner identification, and procurement. Our engineers prepare system-level designs with schematics identifying key network parameters like fiber optic components, backbone topologies, routing protocols, core/distribution site roles, and logical connectivity. We gather data and insight through desk surveys and field surveys, using state-of-the-art surveying equipment.
CTC’s engineers also prepare construction-ready fiber engineering plans. We conduct field surveys and walkouts to map and document potential fiber routes, pole attachments, and rights-of-way using GPS and GIS tools. After assessing field conditions and make-ready requirements, our engineers develop detailed outside plant designs including CAD drawings showing the running line of fiber, pole locations, handholes, splice points, and termination points. We generate detailed bills of materials to enable our clients to implement competitive bidding processes. We prepare construction packages with full engineering work documents like typical details, permit drawings, and material specifications for our clients’ construction contractors.
All of CTC’s engineering work is overseen by licensed Professional Engineers.
Network permitting
CTC provides expert guidance and support on broadband permitting and support for government entities responsible for approving permit applications.
Our work on behalf of state and local government clients and other permitting authorities includes guidance on streamlining processes related to deploying fiber and other broadband infrastructure. Our team has developed “dig once” policies and ordinances to facilitate cost-effective expansion of broadband infrastructure when streets/rights-of-way are already being disturbed for other construction projects.
CTC also has extensive experience supporting clients in the Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) review process associated with state and federal funding, including environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 106 reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act, and consultations with State Historic Preservation Office and state- and federally-recognized tribes.
Construction oversight
CTC’s engineering team performs quality assurance/quality control and construction oversight services on our public sector clients’ behalf. We conduct on-site field inspections and evaluate contractors’ redlines, as-built drawings, documentation, invoices, and other materials to ensure construction has followed the engineered designs. We work with our clients’ contractors to identify field challenges and correct errors before they become more expensive problems.
Network testing, inspection, and verification
When broadband infrastructure is funded with public monies, such as state or federal grants and loans, it is often necessary for state and local authorities and their implementation partners to verify that the constructed networks meet the funding program’s requirements and matches the design documented in the application for funding. The same issues emerge when a public entity enters a partnership arrangement or selects a contractor to construct a broadband network. CTC conducts design reviews, construction verification, and field testing to ensure that funded projects meet these requirements.