Broadband advancing in Ritzville and Lind

RITZVILLE – Adams County initiated broadband infrastructure construction in both the city and Lind last week.

At their final July meeting, Adams County commissioners took a significant step forward in enhancing broadband infrastructure for both cities by announcing plans to notify contractors interested in undertaking the construction.

The Adams County Fiber-to-Home project, a key component of the county’s ongoing broadband efforts, is set to advance with a pre-bid meeting on Aug. 20 and the opening bids on Aug. 27.

Public Works Director Todd O’Brien expressed his goal of completing all underground work by Dec. 1, with the overall project expected to be finalized in both cities by next spring.

O’Brien also highlighted that the broadband expansion would extend to unincorporated areas south and west of Othello. However, he noted that the permitting process is more complex in these regions due to the numerous permits required and the need to cross railroad beds, roads, and canals.

“The Othello project requires ten times the number of permits we encounter in Ritzville and Lind,” O’Brien explained, adding that he still anticipates the rural areas south of Othello to have broadband service by next spring.

The commissioners approved three contracts for broadband construction materials, including one for a fiber optic co-location building in the city. This building will house electronic components, and internet providers will rent space within the system, each provider having different racks and equipment.

The project aims to serve all businesses, “anchor institutions” (such as schools, healthcare centers, and libraries), and homes in both cities and areas south and west of Othello.

Upon completion of the initial phase, the broadband infrastructure will include approximately 1,200 sites in the city, 850 outside of Othello and 285 in Lind, according to Blankenship.

The county will own the infrastructure and lease network space to providers, who will be responsible for day-to-day operations and customer billing. “As a result, broadband operations won’t be a huge management nightmare for the county,” Blankenship stated.

State Senator Mark Schoesler noted two years ago that insufficient broadband has been a persistent issue in the 9th District and other rural parts of Washington. “Improved broadband in rural Washington will benefit students relying on the Internet and small businesses engaging in e-commerce,” Schoesler remarked.

He also emphasized that rural broadband is vital for precision farming. “This will help put rural and unserved areas of our state on a more equal footing with more populated areas of Washington,” Schoesler said.

The project’s total cost is estimated at $10.7 million, with a state grant covering $10.3 million of that amount.