Swinomish gain federal internet service grant

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is one of two tribes in the state that will receive $500,000 grants to secure high-speed, affordable internet service.

The Swinomish and Makah Tribes each received grants through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced Friday.

“This award,” Cantwell said, “will help the Swinomish and Makah Tribes plan out and build broadband infrastructure so that over 300 more tribal households can access telehealth appointments, remote learning and other online services that require high-speed internet.”

Swinomish received $500,000 for a dual Broadband Use and Adoption and Planning, Engineering, Feasibility and Sustainability project.

The project will provide broadband subsidies for eligible tribal households and fund pre-construction activities to provide future broadband service to more than 250 tribal residences, nine tribally owned business and 31 tribal community anchor institutions.

The project is also expected to enable broadband adoption activities, including telehealth and remote learning and prepare Swinomish for future deployment of a 47.5-mile aerial and underground middle and last-mile fiber network.

The nearly $3 billion Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is part of the federal Internet for All initiative. Grants are directed to tribal governments to be used for broadband deployment on tribal lands, as well as for telehealth, distance learning, broadband affordability and digital inclusion.

Cantwell has long championed increased access to broadband connectivity. She helped secure $65 billion in grant funding in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to increase broadband access in rural and underserved communities. That included $2 billion for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.

To date, more than $95 million has been awarded to 14 Washington state tribes from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.