Kittitas County to pursue $24.6 million in BEAD funds with state covering 25% match, staff told commissioners

Kittitas County Public Works told the Board of Commissioners that the Washington State Broadband Office (WISBO) has notified the county it was awarded federal BEAD funding that covers seven project areas across the county.

Josh Fredersen, Public Works, said the award represents about $24,600,000 in federal BEAD funds and that Washington’s budget includes a 25% match—reported in the briefing as roughly $8,200,000—bringing the total project value to roughly $32–33 million. Fredersen said the state will contract for environmental and historic reviews and that consultant and county pre‑application costs are eligible for reimbursement under the grant. He said the county would not be operating the network but would work with an ISP (identified in the briefing as Inland Cellular) and a consultant (JRP Innovative Solutions) to deliver the work.

Fredersen asked the board for direction to continue working with the Washington State Broadband Office, to proceed with anticipated contract language, and to enter a new contract with the county’s consultant for broadband support. "When I say this is intended to be a, you know, a 0 cost to the county, that's really what it is," Fredersen said, noting staff and consultant time would be reimbursed if the grant agreement is finalized.

Timing: Fredersen said WISBO expects to have contract paperwork lined up for signature by early October to meet federal deadlines; county staff said they expect to bring finalized contracts to the board before that date. The briefing also noted that the state’s contractor will handle required environmental and historic compliance tasks under the National Historic Preservation Act and related state requirements.

What’s next: Commissioners directed staff to continue coordinating with the Washington State Broadband Office and to return any contract documents for formal board action before execution.