PUD to receive $16.5 million broadband award

NEWPORT — Fiber broadband service will expand in Pend Oreille County, following the PUD commissioners’ approval of grant funds Tuesday, Sept. 15 for a $16.5 million award through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

The PUD applied for five project areas identified by the state across Pend Oreille County, including two areas in the northern part of the county. Three of those project areas, all located in the southern part of the county, were selected for funding. The projects are expected to extend all-fiber broadband service to approximately 2,500 homes. The PUD is receiving a $12.4 million federal award, which is supplemented by $4.1 million in state matching funds.

“This is an exciting step forward for the PUD and the communities we serve,” PUD General Manager PUD Chris Jones said. “A lot of hard work by our team went into securing this funding, and the Board’s approval of the contract allows us to move ahead with the next steps toward bringing reliable, high-speed fiber service to more residents in our county.”

The BEAD program is a federal initiative designed to expand broadband infrastructure in areas that lack adequate highspeed internet service. Washington received approximately $1.2 billion through the program to support broadband projects across the state.

With the contract between the PUD and the federal program now approved, the PUD will begin moving forward with the planning and implementation of the awarded projects. The timing and specific details of the next steps are still being determined and will be shared as they become available.