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March 6, 2026 COUNTY NEWS Washington State Gets $736M for Broadband Expansion,
March 6, 2026
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COUNTY NEWS
Washington State Gets $736M for Broadband Expansion, Including SE WA Counties
A large Federally-funded broadband (internet) expansion program has been approved for numerous projects in Washington State. The Federal National Telecommunciations and Information Administration,
or NITA, has approved a Washington State Deptartment of Commerce Application for $736 million to expand broadband (internet access) across the state, including numerous eastern Washington
Counties.
READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MzA2NjY5LWYxMTlkZDZaZzJ2dA==/1/---slash---XkXgrl6ok5doMRZ---slash---5f8mGHlUsQu---slash---KtsWAyjVSulluEbxAi2jGSZQXzGloDeFmQ8kaeAdVG
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STATE NEWS
Washington Water Supply Update
So far, water year 2026 has been the warmest on record. It started in October with above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation. This was followed by the warmest December
on record.
December precipitation improved long-term precipitation deficits, increased soil moisture and removed seasonal deficits from reservoirs. January continued the trend of being warmer than
we need it to be. It was the 12th warmest and 22nd driest on record since 1895.
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NEW EPISODE
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Building Broadband from the Wheat Fields
In this episode, Paul Jewell sits down with Lincoln County Commissioner Scott Hutsell for a deep dive into one of Washington’s most ambitious rural broadband buildouts. Commissioner
Hutzel shares how a decade of groundwork, smart partnerships, and six successful grants turned a sparsely populated county into a model for fiber‑to‑the‑home connectivity. From the
early planning days to securing nearly $30 million in funding, he walks through the strategy, grit, and local relationships that made it possible. A must‑listen for any county leader
looking to bring high‑speed internet to rural communities.
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PARTNER NEWS
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Is Your County Cybersafe? WSAC's New Trusted Partner Can Help
Crowe has been addressing cyber concerns for more than 30 years. Their team includes former chief information security officers and other highly specialized professionals who can offer
perspective on how to supplement and strengthen your county's cybersecurity program.
Crowe can help you design and execute strategies to mature your program, support departmental goals, and keep your county's and constituents' sensitive information safe while preventing
future cyberattacks.
LEARN MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MzA2NjY5LWYxMTlkZDZaZzJ2dA==/5/WAdVi7Uh---slash---uaJOegEKFMl6pHFh3n---plus---pQlGS9pxqBGisRi9Ra7---slash---xPxzpMNQUOaK6fubuyeBcIj
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COUNTY NEWS
Procurement Pointers: Creating A Policy That Leads to the Best Ending
How can local agencies build effective procurement policies? What rules apply to each contract type? When can bidding be waived? Good policy helps staff navigate the procurement adventure
with clarity.
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COUNTY NEWS
Skagit County to Return Funds for Francis Road Project
Skagit County will be returning funding it received for a local road project that has yet to be completed because of years of delays. The county Board of Commissioners agreed Monday
to return funding it received in 2017 from the County Road Administration Board to widen the travel lanes and shoulders of part of Francis Road near Clear Lake.
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qcDsM2UeygEjwZOcdWmXblvJ>
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COUNTY NEWS
Cowlitz County May Become Rural Again
Cowlitz County may fall under rural designation again under a proposed bill that changes the population thresholds. Since 1999, Washington has designated a county as “rural” if it has
a population density of 100 people or less per square mile. In 2025, Cowlitz County surpassed that threshold, removing its rural designation.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, would make counties with no city greater than 45,000 persons rural, even if the person per square mile exceeds 100. A prior version
of this bill would have made 75,000 the city cap. Cowlitz County is the only county whose status would change, with Longview’s population at roughly 38,000, even though the county has
a population density that exceeds 100 residents per square mile.
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Chelan | $100
THUR
16
APRIL 16 @ 8:00AM
Procurement Fundamentals 2026 (East) <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MzA2NjY5LWYxMTlkZDZaZzJ2dA==/11/lsZOOS33fSJb5MQ2zsRHBvOjDnc3VoOzTRxGCfhnsp8a---slash---jVLixDhwHP1IIGdH--
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Spokane Valley | $200
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<https://wsac.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WSAC_Legislative_Icons_2021-Social.png> LATEST Job Openings
THURSTON COUNTY
Education & Outreach Specialist I <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MzA2NjY5LWYxMTlkZDZaZzJ2dA==/14/aeDPO---slash---94s5uw---slash---FEtwteJXRTUURKOKILgvpGdS15ohM2Zi1drK---plus
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$5,405 – $7,189/Mo
LINCOLN COUNTY
Public Health Director <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MzA2NjY5LWYxMTlkZDZaZzJ2dA==/15/---plus---73EbSzEPUSUkKwLxchag7wmpPyvQ2dV9N6sXl3Yz7aBU9bkmQ6nH0N8tqY7M26xC7hrCdm930GOef
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$125,612 - $149,647/Yr
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Counties need modern cybersecurity solutions to protect the county’s environment. Threat Actor activity and sophistication is constantly improving, so counties need to increase their
solution and data governance and understand their threat landscape to mitigate the risk to the county and their constituents against future cyber-attacks through phishing and ransomware
attacks.
Crowe, WSAC's Trusted Partner, offers a comprehensive suite of services to help keep your county cybersafe. Visit their page on WSAC's Solutions Center to find the best services for
your county's cybersecurity needs or contact them directly to request an assessment.
LEARN MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MzA2NjY5LWYxMTlkZDZaZzJ2dA==/19/8c4QQbCP8aIf8EDdy6EU2wrGmLE---plus---wvfnkMpjDiIDORA859pPQ0mqN40PkOktOFj---slash---DQ9U6xuDxa---sla
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FOLLOW US
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FACEBOOK
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