By Brian Gawley
Peninsula Daily News
PORT TOWNSEND — More than 200 Port Townsend businesses will have access to high speed internet service next year thanks to a $1.8 million state Public Works Board loan awarded to the Jefferson County Public Utility District.
“These are extraordinary speeds that are not available now,” said Will O’Donnell, communication director for Jefferson County PUD.
“This loan was very intriguing because there’s no ISP in the county that can provide these speeds,” he said.
“Right now, even if businesses can get gigabyte service, it isn’t available during the daytime,” he added.
”This provides what businesses can’t get and always have been asking for. That is why we wanted this and why we pursued the loan,” he said.
The Port Townsend Business Fiber Project is expected to connect up to 225 of 375 businesses to high-speed internet service with 10-gigabyte upload and download speeds.
The $1.8 million 15-year loan requires a $204,000 match.
The $135,000 annual loan cost will be covered if the project gets 106 subscribers, O’Donnell said.
The project won’t start for a couple of months while the contract is set up, he said.
Then people can begin reserving service through the PUD’s website, with connections beginning in early 2023 and the project done before the end of 2023.
In response to commissioner questions, O’Donnell said there’s no estimated negative impact on electrical customers; broadband customers will pay the project costs.
The plan is to build the system backbone throughout the whole service area and put in splice points to reduce costs for both the end user and the PUD, O’Donnell said.
The PUD is offering a gig of symmetrical service for $100 a month as part of the project. The connection fee is $1,200 but can be paid in $120 monthly installments over five years.
Public Works Board Chair Kathryn Gardow said in a press release announcing the loan award, “The Public Works Board is gratified to continue being a leader in providing this vital infrastructure financing as we close the digital divide across the state. Our Washington families, businesses and communities all benefit from these strategic investments.”
The Public Works Board broadband construction program supports unserved and underserved communities across Washington. The board funds construction projects aimed at meeting the state’s broadband speed goals for all homes, businesses and anchor institutions.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at brian.gawley@soundpublishing,com.
