Lewis County to See $24.2M Grant for Broadband From Congress

Jun. 14—On Monday, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, announced the Lewis County Public Utility District No. 1 (PUD) will receive a grant of over $24.2 million for rural broadband expansion through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s "ReConnect Program."

A news release from Gluesenkamp Perez's office stated the funding will be used on a fiber network that's set to make high-speed internet available to 2,863 people, 119 businesses, 487 farms and four educational facilities in Lewis County, according to the USDA.

"I get my internet from a radio tower, and struggling to get online is part of life for my family and our entire rural community," Gluesenkamp Perez said in the release. "High-speed internet is essential to participating in the economy, accessing tele-health and tele-work, and so much more."

In April, the release stated, Gluesenkamp Perez supported Lewis County PUD's application to the ReConnect Program, writing to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the department to approve the funding request. At a recent town hall in Centralia, she spoke to the same issue, saying access to internet was important for the economy, the nation's security and to the health of everyday people.

"I'm so proud to have helped secure this huge investment for Lewis County that will change people's lives," she said in the release. "I work hard for all parts of Southwest Washington, especially our rural and agricultural communities."

Also in April, Gluesenkamp Perez hosted USDA Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small in Southwest Washington for a broadband roundtable, which was attended by Lewis County PUD, to discuss the successes of the ReConnect Program and ongoing need to expand rural broadband access in the region. She has also met with the chair of the Lewis County Broadband Action Team.

Learn more about the team in recent reporting by The Chronicle at https://bit.ly/Chronline-LCBAT.