en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) has allocated $5.1 million to four broadband projects in Island, Kitsap, and Okanogan counties through the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

These funds will be used to provide reliable high-speed broadband access to unserved or underserved households and businesses, improving opportunities for online education, telemedicine, public safety, and local economic development.

PWB Vice Chair Dean Reynolds stated that the PWB Broadband Program stands out for recognizing tribal sovereignty and local priorities, aiming to help communities build infrastructure that supports education, healthcare, public safety, and economic development, and this round of funding demonstrates the value of these investments.

Specific allocations include: The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation received $2,630,787 to build 5 miles of fiber optic cable, covering 205 residences and 10 commercial enterprises, including three low-income housing clusters managed by the Colville Indian Housing Authority.

Public Utility District No. 1 of Kitsap County received $992,760 to expand reliable broadband access in areas with high concentrations of remote work, naval and defense-related employment, small businesses, and tourism economy; the broadband expansion will also improve online learning conditions for students in the North Kitsap, Central Kitsap, South Kitsap, and Bainbridge Island school districts.

Public Utility District No. 1 of Okanogan County received $717,900 to upgrade the district's broadband infrastructure to a high-speed transmission network, alleviating existing and anticipated bottlenecks on critical connection paths; this investment will help ensure long-term broadband affordability for low-income households while remaining consistent with the district's wholesale open-access mission.

Whidbey Telephone Company in Island County received $758,553 to provide a fiber-to-the-home network to areas around Coupeville lacking high-speed internet services.

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