Kira Erickson reports from the Island County Commissioners’ work session of Wed., Dec. 11, 2024 for the Whidbey News-Times.
Efforts are underway in Island County to bring broadband internet to underserved areas.
During a work session last week, county commissioners heard a presentation from Broadband Coordinator Cody Bakken about the status of the expansion of internet connectivity. The county has applied for support from Broadlinc, a public development authority in Spokane, to explore the details of a federal program.
Known as Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment, or BEAD, the program offers $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs in all 50 states.
Island County commissioners were asked to approve the memorandum of understanding between the county and Broadlinc. As discussed, the commissioners are not interested in the county owning or operating broadband infrastructure itself, which is where Broadlinc comes in. Since grant funding from the state legislature is being used, there is no cost to the county for the agreement.
They Said It
Commissioner Jill Johnson asked about undeveloped locations that have the potential to become homes. Bakken responded that the program is specifically for existing homes that need to be served, although he’s working with the planning and public works departments to develop a way to collect information from future homes being built. County Administrator Michael Jones added that the developer of the broadband infrastructure will have no obligation under the federal program to serve a house that’s not there.
Commissioner Melanie Bacon asked how her constituents could find out if their house is included in the project areas. Bakken responded that they could talk to him directly over the phone, 360-679-7397, or email broadband@islandcounty.gov. The Federal Communications Commission also has the information available on its website, broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home.
Commissioner Janet St. Clair said she was extraordinarily pleased with Bakken’s work and his ability to clarify it for the board and the expectations to the public. She pointed out that for the county to access funding for affordable housing, there needs to be an attestation that internet is available to the community within that area.
