SPOKANE — Spokane County Commissioner Al French stressed the importance of reliable internet access as he heralded the groundbreaking of the Broadlinc project, aimed at enhancing connectivity across underserved communities.
“The pandemic underscored that internet access is no longer a luxury but a necessity,” French stated in a recent newsletter. “Communities without reliable connections faced significant challenges accessing essential services such as medical care, education, and community resources.”
French, who represents the communities benefiting from the Broadlinc pilot program, highlighted the project’s significance in bridging digital divides exacerbated by recent crises. “We must not squander the lessons learned from disasters,” French asserted. “It’s crucial to seize the opportunity to rebuild infrastructure better and more resiliently.”
The Broadlinc initiative, supported by various local authorities, leaders, and partners, aims to redefine internet access standards throughout Spokane County. “This project requires vision and the courage to push boundaries,” French remarked. “We are setting new benchmarks and ensuring equitable access to essential services.”
Ariane Schmidt, Executive Director of Broadlinc, provided additional insights into the project’s scope. “Broadlinc is continuing services for the southwest county first deployed in the South County pilot, as well as looking into additional near-term capacity expansion and longer-term construction projects funded by the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding expected in 2025,” Schmidt said.
The Broadlinc initiative includes several member cities and towns; the City of Medical Lake, the City of Spokane, the Town of Fairfield, the Town of Latah, the Town of Rockford, the Town of Waverly, Airway Heights, and Deer Park.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
Reader Comments(0)