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Public works seeks board approval to apply for five BEAD project areas to expand broadband access
Summary
Kittitas County public works asked the board to authorize applications for five additional project areas under Washington's BEAD program to extend high-speed internet to rural residents; the county already received provisional awards for two areas.
Kittitas County Public Works on May 6 asked commissioners to authorize applications for five additional project areas under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Josh Frederickson said the county previously received two provisional awards in round one and that the state divided the county into seven project areas; the county is pursuing the remaining five areas in round two. Frederickson said the BEAD program allows a wider range of technologies, including wireless and low-Earth-orbit satellite options, which the county will evaluate to meet state cost-threshold requirements.
If the county is awarded all five additional project areas, Frederickson said, construction would extend high-speed internet to more than 3,000 residences currently lacking adequate service. The BEAD funding structure was described as 75% federal with a 25% state match available for local agencies like Kittitas County, allowing projects to be fully funded if awarded.
Commissioners praised the work and supported the resolution authorizing the round-two BEAD applications; Frederickson said a ribbon-cutting is planned for construction beginning this summer on previously awarded areas.
