09.27.23

Three Tribes in WA Receive Grants to Secure High Speed, Affordable Internet

Awards totaling $1.46M to help construct communication centers, install & purchase fiber installation equipment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, announced that three Tribes in the State of Washington have been awarded federal grants through the Department of Commerce’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is receiving a $500,000 grant. Their Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project will install two communication shelters and complete site preparation work for future installment of two towers that will eventually help provide broadband to 268 unserved tribal households. “Thanks to this funding, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will be able to provide, for the first time, high-speed broadband services to 268 households,” said Sen. Cantwell.

The Nooksack Indian Tribe is receiving a $468,063.67 grant. Their Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project will purchase equipment that will be used for the construction and maintenance of a future fiber network, as well as train Nooksack staff in the use and handling of fiber installation equipment and network equipment. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nooksack Tribe worked to connect their communities using satellite services, while continuing to find ways to improve internet access to their hardest-to-reach areas,” said Sen. Cantwell. “This funding enables the Tribe to take the critical next step of building out and maintaining a fiber network capable of providing reliable, resilient connectivity to their community for decades to come.”

The Skokomish Indian Tribe is receiving a $500,000 grant. Their Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project will install an antenna to provide 2.5 GHz Fixed Wireless Coverage, purchase equipment to construct an additional wireless tower and antenna, and install a short hop wireless link antenna and microwave radio to connect 15 unserved tribal households, two community anchor institutions, and three tribal businesses. The Tribe will also purchase fiber installation equipment and train staff in its use. “This award will help the Skokomish Tribe expand broadband access to unserved households and tribal businesses, and improve monitoring and resource management of the Skokomish River and Hood Canal,” said Sen. Cantwell.

The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is a nearly $3 billion grant program and part of President Biden’s Internet for All Initiative. This program is funded through $980 million made available from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and $2 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) which Cantwell helped author. 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.

Throughout her time in the Senate, Sen. Cantwell has been a champion for increasing access to broadband connectivity. Sen. Cantwell helped secure $65 billion in the BIL to increase broadband access in rural and underserved communities, including $2 billion for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.

So far, more than $96 million has been awarded to 17 Tribes in the State of Washington from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. A map of all Washington state award recipients can be found here.

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