Broadband grants include Lincoln County

OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Broadband Office has announced funding for 13 construction projects that will deliver reliable, high-speed internet access in 14 communities when completed. The $145 million in Broadband Infrastructure Acceleration grants move Washington another step closer to its ambitious goal of connecting all residents of the state to broadband infrastructure by 2028.

“Infrastructure is the foundation for digital equity. From education and healthcare to e-commerce and community services, the daily essentials needed for people and our economy to thrive are increasingly found online,” said Washington Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “Washington state’s goal is to ensure all of our residents have access to affordable high-speed internet, as well as the devices, skills and confidence needed to connect with critical resources."

Grants conditionally awarded for Odessa and other areas nearby are:

Adams County - $10.3 million, estimated project completion by Dec. 1, 2023

Lincoln County - $5.2 million, estimated Connecting Lincoln County project completion by Dec. 31, 2023

Confederated Tribes of the Colville - $4.09 million, estimated completion by Dec. 31, 2024

Port of Whitman County - $1.06 million, estimated completion by Dec. 1, 2023

Applicants requested more than $413 million for 36 different projects. Applications for a second round of grants to award an additional $120 million will open later this spring. A complete list of all project applicants from this round and a map of funding by county are available at http://www.broadband.wa.gov.

Input from stakeholders is instrumental in shaping how the office distributes funds, according to Ann Campbell, manager of infrastructure programs for the Washington State Broadband Office, noting that local community broadband organizing groups are a focal point for this effort.

Campbell said for this funding round the office prioritized projects that would deploy service in unserved areas, or areas lacking access to reliable (wireline connection) service at speeds of at least 25 megabits per second (mbps) download and 3 mbps upload (25/3). The selected projects will offer speeds of 1 gigabit per second symmetrical service unless otherwise precluded by topography and geography. The National Telecommunications Industry Association standard specifies all new projects must deliver transmission speeds of 100/100 mbps upon completion unless impracticable due to geography, topography or financial cost.

To learn more about the work of the Washington State Broadband Office, including the Digital Equity Forum, funding opportunities, the statewide Access and Speed Test Survey, Emergency Broadband Benefits for consumers and more, visit http://www.broadband.wa.gov.