No broadband where you live? This $10.28M plan from Pierce County might change that
Federal funding will help Pierce County expand broadband internet service, if a proposed biennial budget passes as is.
The Planning & Public Works preliminary 2024-2025 budget includes a total investment of $10.28 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for the expansion of broadband in areas of Pierce County where gaps in coverage still remain.
Those projects include $3.75 million in North Key Peninsula (for 511 households and 15 businesses) and $3.15 million in South Pierce County (for 1,850 households and 28 businesses).
The Pierce County Council is expected to approve a final budget Nov. 21. In its entirety, the preliminary 2024-2025 county budget is $3.2 billion, a 1.2% increase, or $38.5 million, over the 2022-2023 budget.
Other budget priorities identified by Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier have been public safety, affordable housing and homelessness, litter and graffiti removal, as well as economic development.
Although broadband service is largely provided by the private sector, Pierce County Planning & Public Works will work with internet service or infrastructure providers, using financial incentives and process streamlining to encourage expansion of broadband internet access county-wide, according to the county’s website.
A Pierce County Broadband connectivity and access evaluation conducted in 2019 found that “many communities in Pierce County — particularly areas outside its cities — do not have the broadband they need” and the gaps “are largely between the urban cities and in more remote areas,” although pockets within suburban areas have also reported issues.
According to the county’s website, the districts that need additional broadband service are the:
- Nisqually Region
- Key Peninsula North
- Puyallup/White River Region
- Alder Lake Region
- Key Peninsula South
