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JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO:
Board of Commissioners
FROM:
Philip Morley, County Administrator
DATE:
August 23, 2010
RE:
Update on .Jefferson County Broadband and Economic Development
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Team Jeflerson staff Katherine Baril and Bill Wise will brief the Board of County
Commissioners (BoCC) about the award of a major Broadband Technology Op.portunities
. . - ,.
Program grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce to the Northwest Open Access Network
(NoaNet). This broadband grant includes more than $3,000,000 in Jiber and wireless broadband
investments for the Jefferson County Broadband Coalition, led by Team ./efferson.
"ream ./efferson will also provide updates on other economic development initiatives in Jefferson
County.
ANALYSIS:
TEAM JEFFERSON was instrumental in convening the Jefferson County Broadband Coalition
to work with NOA Net to submit a grant proposal to provide fast, high speed broadband
throughout East Jefferson County. The Je1Terson County Broadband Coalition was awarded over
$3 million by the Department of Commerce on August 1 Sth.
Noa Net now has funding to lay fiber ~U1d set up wireless systems to link over 30 "community
anchor" sites throughout East ./ctlerson County. This was made possible with the participation of
fire departments and law enforcement through ./effCom 911 's current tower infrastructure
proj ect.
This grant ensures fast-speed access at our "anchor institutions". our libraries, schools, the
hospital, government offices, emergency response and fire teams, and hubs that will be available
in the future to be linked and connected for business development and home access. This
investment is truly significant for ./efferson County.
Broadband isjust one initiative of Team Jefferson, and part of an emerging Shared Economic
Development Strategy. The August 23 briefing will also update the Board on some of Team
Jefferson's other initiatives.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No direct impact, briefing only.
RF:COMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Board hear the briefing, and ask clarifying questions, as appropriate.
REVIEWED BY:
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Secretary Locke Joins Representatives Ins lee and Baird in Announcing a $54.5 Million Recovery... Page 1 or 5
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IlolllC > :\ c\vsrocnn > Press Rc1ulses > ]1) ) \ug ust ) Secretary Locke Joins Representatives InsJce and Baird in
AnnOlmcing a $54.5 Million Recovery Act Jnvestment to Expand Broadband Internet Access and Expand
Economic Growth in Washington State
file://C:\Documents and Settings\miranda\Local Settings\Temporm"y Internet Files\OLKB\secretar... 8/19/2010
Secretary Locke Joins Representatives Inslee and Baird in Announcing a $54.5 Million Recovery... Page 2 of 5
Secretary Locke Joins Representatives Inslee and
Baird in Announcing a $54.5 Million Recovery Act
Investment to Expand Broadband Internet Access
and Expand Economic Growth in Washington State
Submitted on August 18, 2010 - 10:30am
Categories:
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. Broadband I nternd
. 13TOP
. (io\'. Cchristine Ciregoire
. 'vlayor ,'vlike \1cGinn
.:';oa:\et
. President Barack ()b:::ll]1<l
. Rep. BrianI::3aird
. Rep. Jay Ins1ce
. rep, Jim McDernwtl
. Rep. '\orm L)icks
. l:Zep.Rick Larsen
. Sl'att Ie
. SelL :'vlaria Canlvvell
. Sen. Patty \lurray
. Vice Presidentl3iden
. \Vashington state
. \ation:::t1lelccOlnmunications
. Secretary Ci:::lryLocke
Inl'or1nation Administration
I>rillter-i'riendly version
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 18,2010
CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
202-482-4883
Secretary Locke Joins Representatives Inslee and Baird in Announcing a $54.5 Million Recovery Act
Investment to Expand Broadband Internet Access and Expand Economic Growth in Washington State
Remarks
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today joined U.S. Reps. Jay Inslee and Brian Baird at the Seattle Central
l.ibrary to announce a $54.5 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investment to heIp bridge the
technological divide, boost economic growth, create jobs, and improve education and healthcare in diffIcult
terrain both east and west o[thc Cascades mountain range in Washington state.
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Secretary Locke Joins Rcpresentativcs Inslee and Baird in Announcing a $54.5 Million Recovery... Pagc 3 of 5
The grant to thc Northwest Opcn Access Network (NoaNet) State of Washington Broadband Consortium will
bring high~speed Internct access across 25 of Washington's 39 counties and connect the region to the rest of the
state's digital economy. Earlier today, Vice President Joe Hiden announced approximately $1.8 billion in new
projects that will create jobs and expand economic opportunities within 37 states across America.
"This critical invcstment will lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth by connecting dillicult
terrain both cast and west of the Cascades that has bccn without the full economic, educational and social
benefits of high-speed Internet," Locke said. "This $54.5 million grant to NoaNet will pay dividends for
decades by expanding high-speedlnternel access to schools, libraries, healthcare providers and public safety
facilities. "
NoaNet's State of Washington Broadband Consortium project aims to deliver enhanced, alfordable broadband
capabilities to community anchor institutions and local Internet service providers across 25 of Washington's 39
counties by augmenting NoaNet's existing fiber-optic network. The project intends to support advanced
telemedicine services, connect dozens of libraries, boost bandwidth available at regional schools that currently
suffer from network problems when too many users try to access the Internet at once, and enable public safety
entities to access JusticeNet, Washington state's integrated network that supports state judicial system
institutions. This project would complement NoaNet's earlier Hl'OP award that is funding the construction of
831 miles of fiber-optics in southeastern and southwestern Washington. The project plans to enhance
connectivity to six Indian tribes in the state, including the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, the Kalispel Tribe of
Indians, the Yakama Nation, the Lower Elwha Kallam Tribe ofIndians, the Suquamish Tribe ~md the Port
Gamble S 'Kallam Tribe of Indians.
"Investment in Broadband will be a fuel for the engine of our economic recovery," said Inslee. "NoaNet's State
of Washington Broadband Consortium is one more link in our economic chain that will bring broadband access
to underserved conmmnities in the 1st district, and build upon the open Internet that has created millions of new
jobs and given thousands of Washingtonians access to the global marketplace."
"This is a great example of the Recovery Act at work, investing in our infrastructure with increased broadband
Internet access," Baird said. "Rural areas make up a large part of southwest Washington, and high-speed
Internet access in these areas will help level the playing lield. Small businesses can better compete regionally
and nationally, and our kids can take advantage of greater educational opportunities for generations to come."
U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, Gov. Chris Gregoire, and U.S. Reps. Norm Dicks, Jim
McDermott and Rick Larsen also praised today's award.
"This investment will help bring affordable and high-speed broadband access to underserved communities
across Washington state," said Murray. "Broadband Internet is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity - for small
business looking to expand and create jobs, and for communities hoping to provide families with access to
better health care and better education. I was proud to light for investments in broadband expansion that will
take us closer toward our goal of bringing high-speed Internet to every corner of Washington state."
"Delivering reliable broadb<md service represents an investment in our communities and our economy,
improving access to crucial services in rural communities and extending educational, business and employment
opportunities to Washingtonians who live in rural parts of the state," said Cantwell. "The $54 million grant
awarded today to the Northwcst Open Access Network will improve connectivity to community anchor
institutions, such as schools, libraries, and health care facilities, as well as to six Native American tribes across
the state. This project will lead to more affordable and accessible broadband service for up to 86,000
households and 14,000 businesses and connect as many as 285 anchor institutions across Washington."
"This is great news for conununities across Washington state," Gregoire said. "It's these types of investments
that have real results for Washingtonians. Expanding our broadband access puts people to work immediately -
and createsjohs, educational opportunities, and improves community safety for the future."
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Secretary Locke Joins Representatives Inslee and Baird in Announcing a $54.5 Million Recovery... Page 4 of 5
"As it extends high~speed Internet connections beyond the urban areas in our state, I am encouraged that this
grant will crcate jobs ~md promote economic devclopment on the Olympic Peninsula," said Dicks.
"Washington state - especially the city of Scattle - has long been ahead ofthc curve when it comes to
understffiKling thc importance of broadband technology, and I think there is no better region that will bctter
utilizc this funding," McDcrmott said. "This projcct will not only improve cOlUlectivity for countless
Washington statc residents, but wiJI equip our region's publie safety entities and health care organizations with
cutting edge technology. I'm pleased that thc administration recognizes that improving broadband connectivity
is apriority, and I want to thank thcm for recognizing that Washington state will put these funds to good use."
"Expanding broadband access will create good jobs in our commtmities and help build a f()llIldation for future
economic growth by connecting homes, hospitals, colleges and businesses across northwest Washington," said
Larsen. "It is critical that we help our local institutions thrive in a 21 st century economy. Expanding broadband
services to our rural communities will allow them to acccss information, create new educational opportunities
and make the connections they need to grow and thrive in today's economy."
President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on february 17,2009.
It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save miJIions of jobs, and put a down payment on
addressing long-neglected challenges so that the country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes
measures to modernize our nation's inifastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational
opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided a total of $7.2 billion to the Department of
Commerce's National 'felecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of
Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to fund projects that will expand acccss to and adoption of
broadband services. NTIA is utilizing approximately $4 billion of that funding for grants to deploy broadband
inifastructure in the United States, expand public computer center capacity, ffild encourage sustainable adoption
of broadband service.
Today's announcement is part of the second round of BTOP grant awards, which will continue on a rolling
basis. NTIA will make all BTOP awards by September 30,2010, and has thus far invested in 179 BTOP grants
to benefit communities nationwide.
(Fact sheets withfiirther information about all DTOP grants are available on the NTfA program website here:
H'H'Ij'.nliu.
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