As the world adjusts to an increased demand for a reliable high-speed internet connection, the Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) celebrated a milestone in rural western Lewis County on Friday: its first connections on a grant-funded, fiber-to-the-premises broadband network.
“It’s a turning point for the PUD,” said PUD General Manager David Plotz. “We have now officially switched from being an electricity provider to an electricity and broadband service provider.”
In the years ahead, the PUD will continue to branch out into rural areas throughout the county as it expands its new broadband network. The first phase of the project will expand service into the Boistfort area through a $4.25 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
According to Plotz, the expansion comes after a 2020 survey of customers found that 70% of respondents did not have access to broadband internet. After developing a broadband access plan, the PUD has secured grants to expand broadband access throughout Lewis County through five projects.
When completed, the projects will serve more than 8,000 households in the county, about a “third of what the actual need,” Plotz said. According to the PUD, the projects are expected to be completed by December 2027.
According to the PUD, electric rates will not go up due to the projects, as the program is funded through federal grants.
Phil Eggman, a spokesperson for the USDA, said the agency’s mission goes far beyond meat inspections and other agricultural-specific projects.
“If anybody had a child or a medical problem post-COVID or during COVID, you know how important broadband is,” Eggman said. “And the Public Utility District is the perfect example of a model that can bring private and public together.”
PUD Commissioner Ed Rothlin said the expansion comes after the department struggled for years to entice vendors to rural parts of the county.
“It just didn’t pencil out,” Rothlin said. “It costs too much, which isn’t good for the customer.”
As an example of what the broadband will offer customers, the PUD displayed 10 screens that streamed sports highlights and other content seamlessly through one connection.
Cliff Monroe, the first residential customer to receive the new broadband service, said the new service had been “smooth” and “wonderful.”
The service, which Monroe said was live for approximately a week, came after he struggled for years to get reliable internet service, first through a phone company and then through satellite.
“I can’t thank the parties enough that have helped to bring that out here,” Monroe said. “It’s just been amazing, the speed has been great. I’ve had no problems.”
While he was excited for the service, Monroe said he was also looking forward to another milestone.
“I’m looking forward to removing three or satellite dish brackets off of my roof,” Monroe said. “And to be able to use phone, TV and internet through one provider. It’s been a dream.”
To find out more about the project, and to see when the new service could come to your house, visit lcpud.broadbandportal.net/.
“Look at what we’ve done, and it’s all integrated with those other programs, the low income-senior program, the vegetation management program and now the broadband,” Plotz said. “And all need to work well together.”
