Broadband Resources and Funding

Broadband means high-speed internet, and not everyone in Washington has access yet.

That’s why three broadband funders are working together – so all homes and businesses have the opportunity to access reliable internet services. This page provides an overview of broadband funding opportunities from:

• Washington State Broadband Office
• Community Economic Revitalization Board
• Public Works Board

We collaborate on key areas that improve program coordination and accessibility:

• data management and mapping
• technical assessments and metrics
• communications and outreach

Access to broadband boosts economic vitality, creates jobs and supports Washington’s businesses. It also fosters opportunities for telemedicine, online education and public safety.

Washington State Broadband Office

WSBO

Washington State Broadband Office oversees centralized broadband planning and vision-setting for statewide policy. WSBO currently leads distribution of Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD), the historic federal funding program for broadband construction. WSBO is also providing $114 million in state match funding, enabling local governments, including ports, Public Utility Districts, and tribes, to meet the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) required 25% match for a BEAD award.

• Funding: Competitive grants
• Current Cycle: The Benefit of the Bargain funding round closed in July 2025, and WSBO’s final proposal is currently under NTIA review.
• Eligible Activities: Construction projects that provide high-speed broadband infrastructure that meets the BEAD speed requirements of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds. BEAD-funded construction projects must be completed and service initiated within four years from the date the subgrantee receives the award.  
• Eligible Applicants:
  • federally recognized tribes
  • nonprofit organizations
  • nonprofit cooperative organizations
  • local governments, including but not limited to ports and public utility districts
  • private companies
  • public-private partnerships
  • public or private utilities
• Contact: InternetforAll@Commerce.wa.gov

Community Economic Revitalization Board

CERB

CERB Rural Broadband Program provides low-interest loan/grant packages to local governments and federally recognized tribes. This funding supports efforts to build infrastructure for high-speed, open-access broadband service in rural underserved communities, with a focus on economic development.

• Funding: Noncompetitive loans/grants
• Current Cycle: Continuous
• Eligible Activities: Construction projects that provide high-speed broadband access to unserved and underserved populations in rural communities.
• Eligible Applicants:
  • federally recognized tribes
  • local governments
  • municipal corporations
  • quasi-municipal corporations

• Requirements: All applicants must have a committed internet service provider and planning documentation must be completed.
• Contact: Janea Stark, executive director and tribal liaison

Public Works Board

PWB

PWB Broadband Programs fund construction of middle-mile and last-mile infrastructure and promote the expansion of broadband in unserved areas. The PWB emergency broadband program supports reconstruction of infrastructure after disasters and unforeseen events. The program offers technical assistance to communities for project development and implementation, and collaborates with WSBO in determining key policy and rules.

• Funding:
  • Construction – competitive loans/grants
  • Emergency – first-come, first-served, until funds are exhausted
• Current Cycle: An emergency funding program is open continuously and currently has $1 million available.
• Eligible Activities: Construction projects that provide high-speed broadband access to unserved populations in rural and urban communities.
• Eligible Applicants:
  • cooperative associations
  • federally recognized tribes
  • incorporated businesses, LLCs, partnerships
  • local governments (port districts, PUDs, other special purpose districts)
  • multiparty entities
  • nonprofits
• Requirements: All applicants must notify project area internet service providers at least six weeks before application, except for emergency applicants who are repairing damaged infrastructure.
• Contact: Sheila Richardson, PWB programs director