Broadband Action Team expands countywide internet

Editor’s note: The following was composed using meeting notes provided by Okanogan County Watch, info@countywatch.org

OKANOGAN – Members of the county’s Broadband Action Team (BAT) appeared before the June 27 meeting of the Board of Okanogan County Commissioners (BOCC) to report on its efforts to bring reliable internet access and internet equity to all residents of the county. BAT members that spoke to the commissioners included Roni Holder-Diefenbach, Executive Director for Economic Alliance, Kayla Wells, WSU Extension, and Okanogan County Electric Cooperative (OCEC) General Manager, Greg Mendonca.

Mendonca said the broadband plan fits into the needs of OCEC’s 4,000 customers and a survey of OCEC users generated very favorable results for the service. A grant application for $12 million in America Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds was approved to help cover the estimated $13.2 million dollar project costs.

Working from a 2020 initial infrastructure plan BAT has been steadily expanding internet access, a tall order for the state’s largest county by area with many small and remote communities to serve.

“We are starting to see infrastructure that is giving service where there previously wasn't,” Diefenbach said.

The Carlton area between Methow and Twisp has also submitted a grant application to fund service there.

The Colville Tribe is putting in its own infrastructure.

Diefenbach said BAT’s plan, among the top five for the state, is ready to go.

“The projects are ready, we just need the money to move forward,” Diefenbach said.

There are still some hurdles to clear. Conconully, as an example, has problems with wireless and cellphones.

Wells explained WSU Extension’s role.

“We started in 2019,” said Wells. “Then, we added the digital equity piece to ensure that all people have access to internet.”

Digital equity means that people need to have the devices and knowledge to get connected and to utilize the internet.

“We are reaching the 'covered population'; elderly, disabled,” said Wells. “This is a result of inclusive planning. We've identified the people that work with this 'covered population'.”

Commissioners voiced their approval of BAT’s efforts.

Commissioner Chris Branch stated that good communities are built through associations and communication. He believes the Economic Alliance is the right agency to spearhead the project because businesses need internet service.

“I'm quite pleased with how well this has gone,” Branch said.

The BAT group asked the Commissioners for the county’s help with the next steps of implementation. Mendonca said the project is approved.

“We just need the scope of work,” Mendonca said.

The commissioners said they will draft a resolution that will help BAT define the countywide scope of the project.