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The Grays Harbor PUD was included among over $121 million in grants announced by the Washington State Broadband Office for 19 broadband construction projects that are intended to deliver reliable, high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities across the state.
Locally, nearly $7 million in funding will be provided for the Grays Harbor South Elma, Porter and Cedarville Broadband project.
“Broadband access is essential infrastructure, providing a critical gateway to education, health care, social and economic opportunities,” said Washington Commerce Director Mike Fong. “This funding is the next significant step toward our goal to have high-speed internet access available to every Washington resident and business.”
The only other regional project funded was $3.6 million to Mason County PUD No. 3 for the Cloquallum Communities Rural Broadband Fiber Expansion project.
Officials said that the demand for the grants exceeded available funds by 261% – 50 different projects requested more than $316 million.
The projects conditionally awarded funding are:
- Franklin County PUD No. 1 – $4,854,610 for the Connell and Basin FTTH project.
- Grays Harbor PUD No. 1 – $6,916,366 for the Grays Harbor South Elma, Porter and Cedarville Broadband project.
- Jefferson County PUD No. 1 – $6,087,687 for the Inbetweens Fiber project.
- King County – $1,767,681 for the King County, Ziply to Duvall project.
- Kittitas County – $11,366,102 for the Kittitas County WSBO 2022 project.
- Lewis County PUD No. 1 – $11,958,421 for the Bunker Creek project.
- Lincoln County – $8,921,342 for the Deer Meadows and Seven Bays FTTx project.
- Mason County PUD No. 3 – $3,645,768 for the Cloquallum Communities Rural Broadband Fiber Expansion project.
- Okanogan County Electric Co-Op – $11,985,014 for the Okanogan County Connect project.
- Orcas Power and Light Co-Op:
- $6,446,206 for the Outer Islands project.
- $3,911,649 for the Orcas Island East project.
- $3,352,904 for the San Juan Island project.
- $1,242,168 for the Orcas Island West.
- Port of Skagit County – $8,054,251 for the Bow Outlying Areas FTTx project.
- Port of Whitman County – $1,135,475 for the Port of Whitman FTTx project.
- Spokane Tribe – $3,418,063 for the Spokane Tribe HWY 231 FTTH project.
- Tri County Economic Development District – $12,000,000 for the Central Stevens County Hybrid Broadband project.
- Whatcom PUD No. 1 – $3,150,000 for the Point Roberts FTTx project.
- Yakima County – $11,310,004 for the Yakima County WSBO 2022 project.
Funding announced is part of the state’s investment of the federal Coronavirus Capital Project Fund, and continues the Washington Legislature’s commitment to connect communities with little or no reliable, affordable broadband service.
Awards are conditional on the receipt of federal funds.
“These grants will provide initial service availability to 14,794 end users located across the state, in communities as diverse as the San Juan Islands, Kittitas County and the Spokane reservation,” said Broadband Office Director Mark Vasconi. “Unfortunately we could not fund all who applied, but we are pleased that this round of grants, as well as future funding efforts administered by the Washington State Broadband Office, will bring us closer to our goal of ensuring that all Washingtonians have reliable access to broadband service.”
To learn more about the Washington State Broadband Office, or to sign up to receive broadband news and updates by email, visit the Washington State Broadband Office webpage.