Specifications include, but are not limited to: A.) Project Kickoff Meeting -Meet remotely with State officials (VCBB Staff) and other stakeholders todevelop a clear understanding of the project goals, objectives, timelines and deliverables.B.) Creating Financing Mechanisms -The consultant will be responsible for identifying potential optionsfor alternative or reduced fee financing for the Communications Union Districts. Items to exploreinclude, but are not limited to the following:a.Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Bonds- Evaluate the potential of using ESG bonds forbroadband construction. An ESG bond is a debt security issued by an investment fund thatinvests in companies with high environmental, social and governance standards. These bondscould present an opportunity for the CUDs to borrow the remaining 40-50% necessary at lowerinterest rates resulting in savings on debt financing costs, resulting in more stable businessplanning and lower costs for consumers. This tool should be evaluated for new CUDs and forECFiber (the sole CUD that has secured revenue bond debt).b.Socially Responsible Money Market Accounts to Allow Vermonters to Aggregate Investments toSupport Broadband Expansion -Explore with VSECU and other financial institutions avenuesfor Vermonters to invest small amounts of funds into community networks. VSECU hasdeveloped a suite of “VGreen” projects allowing for funds invested to be used to fundingrenewable energy projects including a VGreen Money Market Account.
