Broadband infrastructure projects receive $5.1 million from Washington Public Works Board

Communities in Island, Kitsap, and Okanogan (WA) counties will receive a combined $5.1 million for four broadband projects to enhance online education, telehealth, public safety and local economic development opportunities, while extending reliable, high-speed broadband access to unserved or underserved households and businesses. The funding is from the Coronavirus Capital Project Fund and was awarded by the Washington State Public Works Board. Awards:

• Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation: $2,630,787 grant to build 5 miles of fiber to 205 residences and 10 commercial businesses. The project area includes three low-income housing clusters managed by Colville Indian Housing Authority. This project will help the community achieve its goal to bring reliable and affordable high-speed broadband to all residents and businesses on the Colville Reservation.
• Public Utility District No. 1 of Kitsap County: $992,760 grant to expand reliable broadband access to Kitsap County’s workforce, which has a strong connection to remote work, naval and defense-related employment, small businesses and tourism-based economies. This project will also significantly improve access to online learning for any households with students in the North Kitsap, Central Kitsap, South Kitsap and Bainbridge Island School Districts.
• Public Utility District No. 1 of Okanogan County: $717,900 grant to upgrade the district’s broadband infrastructure to a high-speed transport network, alleviating existing and anticipated bottlenecks along critical connectivity paths. By reducing structural cost barriers and enabling competitive retail markets, the investment supports long-term broadband affordability for low-income households while remaining consistent with the district’s wholesale open access mission.
• Whidbey Telephone Company: $758,553 grant to build fiber to the home network to areas throughout Coupeville without access to high-speed internet service. The project will directly serve about 144 homes and locations.