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Rulemaking

CR-101 Form, Filed 7/19/19
CR-102 Form, Filed 2/18/20
WAC 399-80 Draft Language

The Public Works Board will accept written public comments until March 27, 2020. Please submit written comments to: 
          Connie Rivera
          Public Works Board
          PO Box 42525
          Olympia, WA 98504-2525 
or by email at Connie.Rivera@commerce.wa.gov 
or by fax at 360-586-8440.

The Public Hearing is set for March 31, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be online only. Meeting access is available via Skype. To connect via phone, call 360-407-3813. The conference ID is 1345139.

Resources

Statewide Collaboration Fact Sheet

Statewide Broadband Plan

USDA ReConnect Program
Governor’s ReConnect Support Letter
USDA Community Connect Grants
USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

US Dept. of the Interior’s Joint Overview Established Location Map
FCC Interactive Map/ISP Finder
WSU Digital Initiatives

Broadband USA
Strategic Networks Group

Below are presentations given to the Board regarding broadband.

KPUD Broadband 101
WATech Broadband 101

PWB Broadband
Eligible Applicants

Public Entities:
• Cities and Towns
• Counties
• Public Port Districts
• Public Utility Districts
• Other Special Purpose Districts
• Quasi-Municipal Corporations
• Tribes
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Cooperative Associations

Private Entities:
• Limited liability corporations organized for the purpose of expanding broadband access
• Incorporated businesses or partnerships

To ensure that a grant or loan to a private entity primarily serves the public interest and benefits the public, there must be a guarantee that the asset or infrastructure to be developed will be maintained for public use for a period of at least fifteen years.

Funding Limits

• $2 million per project loan/grant award limit with a 50% match.
• Projects in financially distressed areas and Indian country may receive up to 90% of the total project cost for a total not to exceed $5 million.

Governor Inslee signing 2SSB 5511 into law.
Governor Inslee signs 2SSB 5511 into law, establishing a new broadband program within PWB.

Click to View Scoring Criteria for All Broadband Program Applications

Feasibility and Outreach Grant Cycle 
Open February 14, 2020 – Closes June 1, 2020

Broadband Feasibility and Outreach grants support public outreach and engagement activities that establish and galvanize community-based efforts to bring broadband infrastructure to unserved areas. Community-based efforts, such as Broadband Action Teams, are essential to ensure that community needs are met in planning for broadband expansion.

Approximately $50,000 is available for these feasibility and outreach grants. The maximum award per applicant is $10,000, with a 10% match requirement. Funding awards are based on a competitive ranking process. Depending on the number and qualifications of applicants in this round, there is no guarantee funds will be available for future feasibility and outreach grant cycles.

Electronic submission of applications for all PWB programs are through ZoomGrants. Paper copies will not be accepted.

Click Apply for PWB Broadband Planning-Feasibility Grants via ZoomGrants to reach the ZoomGrants website. If you have a ZoomGrants account, log in and follow the instructions. If you are a new user, complete the required information for a new ZoomGrants account to create a profile. Please do not use “The” as the first word in the agency name. Once the agency profile has been created, select the Public Works Board Program you wish to apply for, check the “apply” button, and start your proposal. Answers are automatically saved.

Broadband Feasibility and Outreach Grant Application Guidelines (pdf)
Broadband Feasibility and Outreach Grant Application Preview (pdf)

Training – Using ZoomGrants to Apply for Public Works Board Loans (PDF)
ZoomGrants Applicant Slideshow (PDF)
ZoomGrants Applicant Video

Broadband Planning Assessment Survey

In order to determine the unserved broadband need in Washington, the Public Works Board is seeking responses to the Statewide Broadband Planning Assessment Survey.  The survey will help the PWB plan for training and focus support for specific areas: feasibility, pre-construction planning, and construction.

By understanding where you are with your broadband planning and projects, the PWB is able to better define overall need and develop a clear picture to communicate to our Legislative partners.

2019 Planning-Feasibility Study Grant Awards

On December 6, 2019 the Public Works Board approved $450,000 in funding for Broadband Planning-Feasibility Study Grants.

For the ranked list of applicants, click here.

Planning-Feasibility Study Grants – Closed to Application

Broadband Planning-Feasibility Study Grants are for strategic planning activities that facilitate the deployment of broadband service in unserved areas across Washington. The total amount available is $500,000, with a maximum award of $50,000 per applicant.

Broadband Planning-Feasibility Grant Application Guidelines (PDF)
Broadband Planning-Feasibility Application Preview (PDF) 

Join the Broadband Email List

Statewide Broadband Account

The Statewide Broadband Account is funded through legislative appropriation, the proceeds of bond sales authorized by the legislature, repayment of loans, or any other lawful source.

In the 2019-21 biennium, the Statewide Broadband Account received a $21.5 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA) for broadband capital projects, less operating costs to staff the program.

Contact Information

Shelley Westall
Broadband Program Director Shelley.Westall@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-3162

Jeff Takahashi
Broadband Program Manager
Jeffrey.Takahashi@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-2708

Icon of a broadband tower