Fiber Broadband Expansion Across Pend Oreille County
Pend Oreille PUD has been awarded $16.5 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding to expand broadband infrastructure across three project areas throughout Pend Oreille County.
The PUD applied for five project areas identified by the state across the county, including two areas in the northern part of the county. Three of those project areas, all located in the southern part of the county, were selected for funding. The areas selected for funding are shown below.
The projects are expected to extend all-fiber broadband service to approximately 2,500 homes. The PUD is receiving a $12.4 million federal award, which is supplemented by $4.1 million in state matching funds.
“This is an exciting step forward for the PUD and the communities we serve,” said Chris Jones, General Manager of PUD. “A lot of hard work by our team went into securing this funding, and the Board’s approval of the contract allows us to move ahead with the next steps toward bringing reliable, high-speed fiber service to more residents in our county.”
The BEAD program is a federal initiative designed to expand broadband infrastructure in areas that lack adequate high-speed internet service. Washington received approximately $1.2 billion through the program to support broadband projects across the state.
For more information on BEAD, please visit the Washington State Department of Commerce website.
Project Timeline
Pend Oreille PUD has begun moving forward with the planning and implementation of the awarded projects. The timing and specific details of the next steps are still being determined and will be shared as they become available.
The BEAD Program requires all awarded locations to have access to service no later than the end of 2029.
Compliance
Compliance with Financial and Managerial Capacity and Financial Transparency