Port to revisit Broadband grant application

DAYTON—Only the top seven applicants out of a field of thirty have been chosen to receive funding from the Washington State Public Works Board for their broadband projects. The Port of Columbia was not among them, having ranked in the middle of the field at number twelve by the board last Friday.

“What this shows is there is a huge need for better broadband service and not enough funding to go around,” The Port’s Executive Director Jennie Dickinson said

Dickinson said the Port’s application would have been stronger if the engineering had been completed, but there were time constraints.

She will reach out to the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) later this week to discuss options for getting the engineering done. She will also discuss ideas with the Port commissioners at their next meeting on Nov. 18.

Dickinson said it is unlikely CERB or the Public Works Board will have any new funding for broadband projects until after the next legislative session.

Port officials have devoted many hours over the last two years to get the broadband project off the ground. Dickinson said she would be better prepared when the next opportunity arises.

The Makah Tribe, the Kalispel Tribe, Grant County, the Port of Skagit, Wahkiakum County PUD, Hood Canal Telephone, and the Port of Ilwaco were the top seven applicants.