Washington to accelerate broadband projects with $145M in grants
Washington – The State Broadband Office of Washington will provide $145 million for 13 construction projects to deliver reliable, high-speed internet access in 14 communities when completed.
The Broadband Infrastructure Acceleration grants will further Washington’s goal of connecting all residents of the state to broadband infrastructure by 2028.
Grants conditionally awarded, pending final contract execution, are:
- Lewis County – $23.5 million, estimated project completion by December 31, 2026.
- Clallam County – $20.27 million, estimated project completion by December 31, 2023.
- Spokane Tribe of Indians – $16.8 million, estimated project completion by December 31, 2024.
- Snohomish County – $16.7 million, estimated project completion by January 31, 2024.
- Washington Independent Telecommunications Association – $14.86 million for two sub-projects serving Mason and Island counties, estimated project completion by December 31, 2024.
- King County – $11.8 million, estimated project completion by January 31, 2023.
- Adams County – $10.3 million, estimated project completion by December 1, 2023.
- Public Utility District No. 1 of Jefferson County – $9.7 million, estimated north fiber project completion by December 1, 2024.
- Nisqually Indian Tribe – $6.77 million, estimated Phase II project completion by December 31, 2023.
- Lincoln County – $5.2 million, estimated Connecting Lincoln County project completion by December 31, 2023.
- Confederated Tribes of the Colville – $4.09 million, estimated broadband acceleration project completion by December 31, 2024.
- Port of Bellingham – $4 million, estimated Whatcom County expansion project completion by December 31, 2024.
- Port of Whitman County – $1.06 million, estimated project completion by December 1, 2023.
Funding for these prioritized projects would help 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.
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.