July 13 Tuesday Roundtable Recap

Our July 13th Tuesday Roundtable focused on broadband funding opportunities for ports. Broadband emerged as a key issue during the last legislative session, both within Washington and more broadly on a federal level. Communities who have traditionally been underserved by broadband service found themselves unable to perform basic tasks like working or going to school during the pandemic shut-down, which forced many Americans into their homes, dependent on internet access. State and federal funding opportunities are designed to close this so-called digital divide. 

Port districts also gained new broadband authority during the 2021 session, which increase their ability to access these funds.

Joining us for the July 13th Roundtable about these opportunities and how to access money for broadband are Janea Delk, Executive Director of Community Economic Revitalization Board, Karin Berkholtz, Executive Director of the Public Works Board, and Russ Elliott, Director of the State Broadband Office.

In today’s Roundtable, we heard:

·      What money is available to fund broadband infrastructure from CERB

·      Specific grants from the Public Works Board, opening July 14 at midnight

·      The State Broadband Office, and the ways in which they are using their funding to create a taxpayer return on investment

·      Comments from Representative Mary Dye and Representative Cindy Ryu on the importance of broadband to the legislature

We will be bringing you more information and opportunities about broadband as funding ramps up for this important infrastructure-building activity within Washington and federally. Below are the presentations you watched today, plus the link to the Public Works Board grant writing workshop they are providing to applicants.

Public Works Board presentation

Public Works Board Eventbrite registration link 

State Broadband Office presentation

Recording of today’s Roundtable