Spokane County, WA – Broadlinc, the Spokane Regional Broadband Development Authority, has been provisionally awarded approximately $90 million in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding and state match to expand high-speed internet across Spokane County. The award positions Broadlinc as #3 in Washington State for total awarded funding and #4 for total number of awarded project areas (13).

This funding, allocated by Congress in 2022 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), will be used in the construction of new, reliable internet access for thousands of eligible households and businesses, and community institutions that combine fiber optic cable and fixed wireless technologies across Spokane County.

“Spokane County and its towns and cities, through Broadlinc, is fulfilling its mission in bringing new affordable, sustainable, and competitive internet to the households, businesses, and community anchor institutions in our communities,” said Medical Lake Mayor Terri Cooper, Broadlinc Governing Board Chair.

Executive Director Ariane Schmidt added, “I am proud of our team’s innovative work and the support of our partners. Broadlinc’s hybrid deployment of fiber and fixed wireless ensures we can reach every community in Spokane County efficiently and cost-effectively while ensuring expansion long-term in our infrastructure for years to come.”

In addition to Broadlinc, four Internet Service Providers (ISP) received provisional BEAD awards in Spokane County. Some are deploying a hybrid approach similar to Broadlinc, while others are using fiber-only and Low Earth Orbit Satellite (LEO) solutions. Statewide, Washington has up to $1.2 billion in BEAD funding to expand broadband access to every community across the state.

The Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) has submitted their statewide award proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) who is reviewing BEAD funding plans for all 50 states, territories, and tribes. Final approval is expected before the end of the year, and all BEAD projects are required to be completed by December 31, 2029.

About Broadlinc: Established in 2022 by the Spokane County Commissioners, Broadlinc serves as the Spokane Regional Broadband Development Authority. Through strategic partnerships and collaboration, Broadlinc is dedicated to promoting digital equity and fostering the development of broadband infrastructure across Spokane County.

If you’re interested in broadband expansion across Spokane County, we invite you to join the Spokane Broadband Action Team (BAT) which meets on the third Friday of each month at 10am. Internet service providers, CAIs, and other interested residents discuss the projects, opportunities, and challenges of connectivity across the county. Learn more and sign up for meeting reminders at broadlinc.org/bat.