CyberMill issues statement following closure of Seneca location

SENECA – Last week, our newsroom reported on the closure of the Seneca CyberMill location. Grant County CyberMill has since released a public statement. Find it in full, below:

(Statement from Grant County CyberMill)

After 3.5 years of serving the Seneca community and supporting the site’s 389 members, CyberMill Seneca closed its doors on March 14th. The program has been highly successful in demonstrating innovative ways to provide connectivity for those without access in our remote communities. We know many are saddened by the sudden closure and curious why. 

Our strategies for long term viability relied on key partners working together to implement a multi-phase approach to secure fiscal sustainability of current and future sites. When leadership changes occurred in John Day, we worked diligently for several years to push the cumulative investment towards a path that included a John Day hub site and more financial stability. Continued delays and lack of commitment to solutions resulted in the eventual loss of the hub site and subsequently the additional supporting funds as other partners who patiently pivoted with us were forced to withdraw financial support.

In 2024, we secured bridge funding for operations as we pivoted to propose alternative plans for secured funding. Reduced viability due to delays and emerging partner concerns regarding additional investment in Grant County, led us to the difficult decision to abandon the John Day project and begin closing sites. As we return resources to partners, we feel the responsibility to take a step back and revisit strategies to achieve our goals and the power of local support in the future.

Originally envisioned six years ago as a hub for technology access, education, remote work, and business development, CyberMill has evolved along with the community’s changing needs and priorities. Through its operation, we have learned that access to healthcare, employment, education, and business resources remain critical needs in our rural region.

Although this chapter is coming to a close, the work done at CyberMill has gained interest from other communities across the nation. The planning, data collection, and operational strategies from this initiative are available for anyone interested in replicating or building upon this model. If you are passionate about community development and creating opportunities, the groundwork is already in place.

We appreciate any input or feedback you would like to provide about the benefits/challenges of CyberMill to help model potential sites, here and around the northwest, to serve our rural community’s increasing need for access to internet and technology. This is a pause for reflection; if you have solutions – reach out to us, our next board meeting is April 2nd.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who supported CyberMill and helped make it a success. We are glad to be leaving the building in better condition than when we entered and in good financial standing with our landlord. We apologize for the lack of notice and are working diligently to provide an update about the future of the Prairie City site.

*****

PREVIOUS: The Grant County CyberMill is informing its members and the public that the Seneca location has officially closed. The Prairie City CyberMill remains open and available for use. Find the full release from the organization below:

(Press Release from the Grant County CyberMill)

Dear Grant County CyberMill Members,

We want to inform you that our Cybermill location in Seneca has officially closed. We are grateful for the time you’ve spent with us and appreciate your support over the years.

Our Prairie City location remains open and available for your use. We encourage you to visit us there and continue to take advantage of the resources and services we offer.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at support@gccybermill.com or visit our website.

Thank you for being a valued part of the Cybermill community.

Sincerely,

The Grant County CyberMill Team

---

• 
• 
• 
• 

---

• 
• 
• 

---

---