Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson announced on May 19 that $525,000 has been included for the Black Mountain Project 25 Repeater Site Project in Caribou County through Community Project Funding in the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.
The project aims to improve law enforcement communications by expanding coverage in Caribou County and parts of Bingham and Bonneville counties. This is intended to address current limitations faced by first responders operating in areas with poor or nonexistent radio service.
“The Caribou County Sheriff’s Office has made it abundantly clear that expanding coverage in Caribou County and in areas of Bingham and Bonneville counties will enhance law enforcement communications, which are currently limited in certain areas. Adding a repeater site will help close coverage gaps and strengthen first-responder communications. I will always advocate for funding in any way, shape, or form to support Idaho’s finest doing their jobs,” said Rep. Simpson.
Sheriff J Adam Mabey of the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office said, “The Caribou County Sheriff’s Office is excited to participate in the CJS FY27 repeater site project to improve and update the communication infrastructure at the Black Mountain Communications Site. Because Caribou County is a fairly large rural county, emergency services communication can be difficult and sometimes nonexistent. The Black Mountain project will greatly increase communication capabilities for all aspects of emergency services in southeastern Idaho. We are grateful for the efforts of Representative Simpson and his staff in making this project possible.”
The funding would add a Project 25 repeater to an existing tower on Black Mountain, establishing an additional simulcast receiver to expand two-way radio coverage where reliable service does not exist now.
Simpson is currently serving as Idaho’s only appropriator, which gives him an opportunity to advocate for projects important to his constituents according to Congress.gov. He has represented Idaho’s 2nd District since replacing Mike Crapo in Congress in 1999 after previously serving more than a decade as a state legislator according to Congress.gov.
The House Appropriations Committee has approved this measure as part of its Fiscal Year 2027 legislation.
