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Broadlink says $5 million USDA grant deployed and provisional $90 million award could expand rural broadband in Spokane County
Summary
A Broadlink representative told Spokane County residents the public development authority has deployed fiber/fixed wireless sites and secured a $5 million USDA grant with a provisional notice of award for an additional $90 million to extend high‑speed internet in rural areas.
A Broadlink representative told attendees at a Spokane County Planning virtual open house that the county's public development authority is advancing rural broadband projects and has secured federal grant funding to expand service.
"Spokane County, as of January 2024, was fifth in the nation for highest number of addresses that did fall below that minimum standard," said the Broadlink speaker. She said Broadlink had deployed five active sites for fiber and fixed wireless, had received a $5,000,000 USDA grant, and had a provisional notice of award for an additional $90,000,000 to bring high-speed internet to rural addresses.
Why it matters: county planners said improved broadband is an essential utility that supports remote work, telehealth, remote learning and can reduce pressure to locate housing only near urban services. Broadlink said broadband enables rural households to participate in commerce and services and to increase community resiliency.
Details provided in the meeting: Broadlink described partnerships with private ISPs and rural towns, and noted the funding will be used for fiber and fixed-wireless deployments targeted at unserved or underserved addresses. The speaker said Broadlink planned to submit active projects for consideration in the county comprehensive plan so the broadband projects are part of the roadmap for rural development.
Public comment and follow-up: County staff thanked Broadlink for the update and said the county will take submitted project information into account during updates to the rural element and the environmental review. No implementation timetable or detailed project maps were presented at the open house; Broadlink indicated it would post links and materials and work with county staff on submissions.
Ending: The broadband update was presented as part of the county's broader effort to reconcile housing needs and service availability in rural areas; planners and Broadlink said improved internet access could expand options for where people live without increasing pressure on rural lands.
