East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

POMEROY–The Port of Garfield Director Diana Ruchert had some great partners putting the “Fiber to the Home” plan together, executing it and seeing it through to the end. “I am so happy to have the partners I have had through the way,” she said. “It was challenging, it’s a lot of work, but when you have the right advice and the right team behind you and everybody is on the same board it’s just a natural fit and pushed the project along.”

She also remembers all too well when the Port of Garfield was unable to download an email before having broadband. Even her children were feeling the effects of limited access to internet to do school work. Now with broadband, it just makes everything work better. “I feel really thankful for both myself and for the county as well,” said Ruchert. “I just remember my kids having to do their school work, having to get a teacher open up the school so they can do a project and get online. We just have not had the ability to something that should be so simple, especially at that level.

Now that high speed internet is available in the Pomeroy area, it surprises her to see which generation or reasons to seek getting connected. “I am surprised at the ages of people who are wanting to get hooked up with internet. Also surprised about a couple who move here from out of state into our area, paying a nice price for a house so they could work remotely, which could not have happened without broadband,” she said smiling. “Another family has recently purchased a home, cash only, and will be working from their home.” She went on to say there have been some changes in the property values which she attributes to bring broadband to Pomeroy. “It does seem property values have increased, not sure if broadband is the only reason, but without it, it might not have happened,” said Ruchert. “And I also noticed kids now go home and get online and use phones, something they were not able to do before.”

Broadband has increased the ability for young people to become online students and not have to move from home or community and for people to seek health assistance by connecting to a health teleservice. “Another benefit that I know is a local girl was going to college and was able to go online to do her classes and live here,” said Ruchert. “All because of the internet. Our hospital has teleservices available to the community, even though the hospital has internet services, the community didn’t and now that they have it, they can be active of the telehealth system. Things are also turning around for some community kids who are returning or wanting to return to the area because they have access to internet services.