2023-04-04 VII. G. Exhibit 6 Exhibit 6
04/04/2023
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CITY OF OKEECHOBEE Okeechobee City Council
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•�� • yCtio Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr.
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C. m� 55 SE THIRD AVENUE Vice Mayor Monica Clark
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c r-; OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974 Noel Chandler
4.,c% •...''�� Phone: (863)763-3372 Bob Jarriel
;,;,r��o� www.cityofokeechobee.com David McAuley
April 4, 2023
via email transmission only to: Comcast at rachael_bonlarron@comcast.com
To Whom it May Concern:
RE: Letter of Support for Comcast for Broadband Grant Application
On behalf of the City of Okeechobee City Council, we would like to provide you with this Letter
of Support approved at our meeting on April 4, 2023. The Council unanimously approved its
support for infrastructure projects in Okeechobee County in connection with Comcast grant
application submissions.
Comcast's proposals will allow for our local rural communities in Okeechobee County to have
access to high-speed broadband connectivity, which it currently lacks. The past two years have
exemplified the fact that access to broadband is not a luxury, but a necessary utility, much like
water and electricity. Whether it is a child trying to complete homework, a patient trying to
access telehealth resources or an employee working remotely from home, this deficiency of
critical infrastructure results in a continued hardship for our citizens.
Comcast has a history of meeting the needs of the unserved throughout South Central Florida,
as they provide cable and internet services to those left behind in the broadband sector of
Florida's Heartland. Today, they are taking a risk to meet the needs of those left behind in the
deployment of high-speed internet service. This proposed project presents an opportunity for
the citizens of our communities and the City to be able to fully participate in a vital aspect of
everyday life.
The City of Okeechobee fully supports Comcast's grant applications, and we hope the state will
support them, by providing financial assistance for this much needed service. This is an
organization that has the experience, track record, and resolve to see this project to the end.
If our City can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Sincerely,
Mayor Dowling Watford Jr.