Washington State’s Public Utility District No. 1 of Pend Oreille County and the Port of Pend Oreille are partnering to evaluate potential opportunities for federal and state grant funding aimed at improving cost-effective broadband access for county residents.
The joint effort, which includes reviewing funding options from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, seeks to explore ways to expand affordable, reliable, high-speed internet, particularly in underserved areas.
The PUD said that Jim Cupples, currently working under a 2.5-year fellowship funded by the Economic Recovery Corp. and previously hosted by the Port of Pend Oreille, will continue his work with the PUD.
“Jim’s transition to the PUD supports our ongoing efforts to identify cost-effective options for expanding broadband. We appreciate the spirit of collaboration shown by Kelly Driver and the Port of Pend Oreille by providing this opportunity for Jim to work more closely with us on this important effort,” said John Janney, General Manager of Pend Oreille PUD. “Before pursuing any specific projects, we’ll conduct thorough evaluations to understand the financial and operational impacts. Jim will play a key role in seeking potential funding sources and exploring partnerships in the hopes of improving broadband access for the county’s residents without imposing any financial strain.”
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, with Washington State allocated $1.2 billion, is designed to extend broadband to underserved and unserved areas.
Cupples will assist the PUD in evaluating these funding opportunities and collaborating with government agencies, Internet Service Providers, and local stakeholders to explore potential projects that could benefit the community.
The PUD is currently conducting a broadband survey to gather feedback from residents about their internet access needs. The survey, open until October 15, 2024, will help identify areas that could benefit from improved service.
