Governor, local leaders discuss broadband access

Gov. Jay Inslee merged from the presidential campaign trail onto the local information superhighway last week.

His route Tuesday brought him to Friday Harbor, Anacortes and Skagit Regional Airport in Bayview. At the Skagit County stop Inslee discussed expansion of broadband internet service to remote rural areas with business leaders and public officials.

“I’m really encouraged with what I’ve heard,” Inslee said following the nearly hour-long public session, his final stop of the day. “This (broadband) is the greatest small town rural development tool we have, times ten.”

Inslee was briefed on the Skagit Community Fiber Optic Network Project which will span from Anacortes to Concrete, with branches to La Conner and Mount Vernon.

SkagitNet, formed last year by The Port of Skagit and Skagit Public Utility District, is overseeing construction of the fiber optic backbone, said Port Executive Director Patsy Martin, Inslee’s host.

Inslee visited Skagit and San Juan counties, having recently signed Washington Senate Bill 5511, which authorizes $21 million to support rural broadband development.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island), was among those who attended the afternoon meeting at the airport.

The group also included former La Conner Mayor Eron Berg, now PUD Commission President, and Port of Skagit General Counsel Brad Furlong, recently retired La Conner town attorney.

Skagit Valley College President Dr. Tom Keegan, part of the roundtable discussion with Inslee, echoed Inslee’s sentiments about the importance to rural residents of broadband service.

“Broadband internet access is critical to the mission of Skagit Valley College,” Keegan said. “Many of our students work and have kids, so on-line education is very important. Broadband has become a priority.”

Wellman agreed.

“Connectivity is so important,” she said. “Assessment tests are on-line now. It’s changing how education is working. And you don’t buy a home or start a business anywhere without broadband.”

Town of Concrete Mayor Jason Miller said homes there are served by a Digital Subscriber Line, a standard of the 1990s, which transmits data over phone lines.

He said updating from DSL would enhance Concrete’s ability to further grow its economy.

“Our big push is on the economic development side,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can to revive our economy.”

State Rep. Debra Lekanoff (D-Bow), longtime Swinomish governmental affairs director, lauded Wellman for successfully pushing through the Senate broadband bill.

“I think we’re going to be able to do this statewide,” Lekanoff said.

State Rep. Dave Paul (D-Oak Harbor), though unable to attend, chimed in on broadband via his regular newsletter.

Paul serves the 10th legislative district, which includes La Conner, where Wave Broadband maintains an office.

Parts of the 10th don’t have quality broadband access, a necessity in the modern world, he wrote.

“Broadband internet service,” Paul stressed, “has become as important as water or power. It is vital to our local economies, businesses, schools and health care systems.”

Inslee and Nick Guy of Yakima-based Noel Communications stressed the time is now to act on broadband extension.

“Everything is happening so fast,” Guy said. “What’s state of the art today is DSL tomorrow.”