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PRCAC backs Port of Bellingham’s BEAD application, citing 399 unserved Point Roberts locations
Summary
Point Roberts advisory council voted to send a letter supporting the Port of Bellingham and the PUD’s BEAD grant application to extend fiber to about 399 unserved or underserved locations; members heard USDA change-request and trench-backfill updates.
The Point Roberts Community Advisory Council agreed to send a letter of support for a BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) grant application from the Port of Bellingham and the PUD aimed at connecting roughly 399 remaining unserved or underserved locations on the point.
Chair moved that the PRCAC send the requested letter and a committee member seconded the motion; the motion passed by voice vote. Tyler Schroeder introduced the request, saying, "We're hoping to, get that support so that the Port Of Bellingham can submit a bead application, by the end of January, January 30." Tyler identified himself as Tyler Schroeder with FortiveLL and AM and asked the council to include the letter with the application materials.
County/partner staff gave an implementation update: Dawn, participating by phone, said the project team submitted a USDA change request on Oct. 2, 2024 to shift from fully buried fiber to a mix of buried and mostly aerial installation. "Today, we received approval from Natalie to start backfilling those 5 open trenches," Dawn said, adding that archaeologists must clear the sites and that USDA regional staff recently changed roles. Members discussed timing and cautioned that USDA approvals and site studies can delay on-the-ground work.
Why it matters: the BEAD application would help secure federal match funding and leverage other grants to extend fiber across the point; committee members framed the letter of support as an administrative step that strengthens the Port's state and federal grant submissions.
What comes next: the letter will be completed and sent to Tyler and his Port partner; staff and the Port will proceed with required archaeological work and coordination with PSE and other utility owners before construction.
