Low-interest loans available for broadband construction projects in unserved areas of Washington state OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) today opened applications for broadband construction funding offering a total of $13.5 million in low-interest loans for projects in unserved areas of the state. “The Public Works Board continues to make broadband access in unserved areas a priority with the availability of these very low-interest loans,” said Board…
Tag Archives: Broadband
The Washington State Broadband Office awarded $121 million in grants that will provide connections to unserved and underserved communities statewide. OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Broadband Office today announced over $121 million in grants for 19 broadband construction projects that will deliver reliable, high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities across the state. “Broadband access is essential infrastructure, providing a critical gateway to education, health care, social and…
New Managing Director of Broadband Equity will focus on community-led solutions to provide broadband access, affordability and digital literacy for all Washington residents OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce has hired Lisa Heaton (she/her) to serve as Managing Director of Broadband Equity working in partnership with the Washington State Broadband Office. Heaton, a past recipient of the Governor’s Leadership in Management Award, brings a wealth of public…
Deadline looms for verification and challenges to service data that will determine Washington’s share of significant federal broadband infrastructure funding OLYMPIA, WA – Washington state’s three funding partners working to expand broadband access to all businesses and residents are asking the public to help check Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data in a recently published National Broadband Map. The Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO), Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB), and Public…
Grants up to $12 million each offered as Washington state pushes toward goal of high-speed internet access for all residents and businesses by 2028 OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Broadband Office is accepting applications now through January 17, 2023 for grants of up to $12 million each for broadband infrastructure construction projects. With $120 million available, the grants target “unserved” areas – defined as areas lacking access to reliable…
Stakeholder input from November workshops, December 27 public hearing will help inform rulemaking, set priorities for changes required by 2022 Legislature OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) is seeking public participation to help identify and prioritize issues that stakeholders believe should be addressed in the Board’s broadband funding program as a result of changes made to the program by the 2022 state Legislature. Input from two…
PULLMAN, WA — Community specialists with WSU Extension are partnering with the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) to enhance capacity by Washington communities, especially those in rural and remote areas, to provide better and more equitable access to reliable, high-speed internet. Funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the one-year, $8 million statewide Broadband Action Team (BAT) Implementation and Support project aids county and community efforts with training, planning…
Digital equity focus, successful work with rural and underserved communities, position new director to continue advancing state’s ambitious goal of broadband access for all by 2024. OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Mark Vasconi to serve as director of the Washington State Broadband Office within the Department of Commerce. Vasconi comes to the job with significant public and private sector experience in telecommunications. During more than a decade…
Clallam, Pacific, Spokane and Yakima Counties awarded latest round of $200,000 in CERB planning grants today OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) received $40 million for economic development funding and $25 million for community broadband funding in the 2022 supplemental capital budget. These historic levels of funding arrive as CERB celebrates 40 years and will assist rural communities and Tribes in building their economic futures.…
Over $19.9 million available for projects providing broadband to unserved Washington communities OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Public Works Board is accepting applications for broadband infrastructure construction loans now through midnight, April 26, 2022. Cities, towns, counties, public port districts, special purpose districts, quasi-municipal corporations, Tribes, nonprofit organizations, cooperative associations, limited liability corporations organized for the purpose of expanding broadband access, and incorporated businesses or partnerships may apply. Approximately…