East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

POMEROY–Fiber optic internet in Pomeroy, classified as Phase 1, has been hooked up to most of the homes, Port of Garfield County Manager Diana Ruchert announced at the Port Commissioner meeting on July 6. A deadline has been established for drop payment by the Port, set for the end of the year. Beginning in 2022, drop costs in Pomeroy will be charged to the customer.

Manager Ruchert will be traveling to Lacey Wash., to testify for a Department of Commerce grant to extend fiber internet to Pataha. The original date was to be in October, but it has been moved to July 15.

A National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) grant opportunity has been put forward, with $288,000,000 available for broadband grants nationally. This grant would be used to extend the broadband further into Garfield County. Lumen, a branch of CenturyLink, and Petrachor would be partnering with the Port of Garfield County to see the project through. The Port Commissioners decided to apply, with the understanding that they have no obligation to accept the grant terms if they are not agreeable. The Washington State deadline for project proposals is July 7.

The Port Commissioners took action to repair sidewalk in front of Rich Martin's house that was cracked by equipment laying fiber cables. They will also repair problem concrete at the United States Forest Service building in the same project.

Installation for the new USFS building blinds will take place in October, so a new quote will be obtained within 60 days prior to the installation. No changes to the price are anticipated.