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DAYTON–Ports within the State of Washington have recently become eligible for infrastructure funds through the Public Works Board, including broadband projects, Port Commissioners heard at the August meeting.

A $17 million fund is given in either loans or grants, Port of Columbia Director Jennie Dickinson said. Communities in most need are more eligible for the grants versus the loans. Columbia County and Dayton would qualify for grants and the Port plans to apply in time for the deadline next month. More information will be available at the next Port meeting, August 31.

Pocket iNet will provide a short presentation about the proposed project. "A lot of the purpose of the meeting is to get input from the public," Dickinson said. Representatives from the Port of Whitman and the Port of Garfield who have experience with public broadband projects will be on the call to provide insight, as well as internet providers who would be providing the service.

"The Port will not provide internet service," Dickinson said. "We are not allowed by law to do so. Our role would be to build the infrastructure that would allow private service providers like Touchet Valley Television, Columbia iConnect, and others to provide reasonably priced high-speed internet service to residents by leasing the fiber from the Port. We make the investment and they provide the service."

Dickinson said that internet providers can choose whether to lease the fiber network of not. The new network would not interfere with any existing networks."

"I believe the public doesn't understand what broadband is going to do for them and the economic development aspects of it...and what it does for the City of Dayton and Columbia County," said Chairman Earle Marvin.

Dickinson assured him that the benefits would be conveyed during the meeting.