CERB Broadband Grant Award
On September 19, 2019, the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) approved a $50,000 grant to the Port of Port Angeles for the Clallam County Rural Broadband Feasibility Study. This planning program project consists of a feasibility study to identify which areas in Clallam County are unserved or underserved by broadband, and to identify the most feasible path to extend broadband infrastructure to these communities. CERB funds were matched by $17,000 in local resources.
The application for this grant began in March 2019 when the Port participated in the North Olympic Peninsula Broadband Symposium hosted by North Olympic Development Council (NODC). This event was well attended, and it was determined that the local governments (Cities, County and Port) should apply for one CERB Broadband Planning grant as a team.
The Port volunteered to be the grantee for this project to get the process underway because in Clallam County we have many citizens and businesses who either do not have broadband access or have it, but the speed is inadequate. Like water, roads, and electricity, broadband is of fundamental importance to economic development. Increasing capacity is essential to the economic growth of Clallam County. It will enable businesses in our rural county to thrive and compete in an increasingly digital world.
As Washington’s strategic economic development resource, CERB is focused on creating private sector jobs in partnership with local governments by financing infrastructure improvements which encourage new business development and expansion. In addition to funding construction projects, CERB provides limited funding for studies that evaluate high priority economic development projects.
Please contact Karen Goschen, Executive Director, Port of Port Angeles at 360-457-8527 or kareng@portofpa.com with any questions regarding this funding application.