ARLINGTON—Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, joined by Snohomish County Councilman Nate Nehring, Chief Marketing Officer for Ziply Fiber Mike Doherty, and Executive Director for Sno-Isle Libraries Lois Langer Thompson broke ground on the SR-530 Broadband Project Wednesday, June 26, which will provide more than 4,000 homes, businesses, and community institutions with vital broadband access.
“Broadband is a vital service for public safety, education, economic opportunity, and health,” said Executive Somers. “By expanding broadband access to over 4,000 homes, businesses, and community institutions along SR-530, we are making significant progress on our goal to increase access. We are very grateful to our federal partners, the Washington state Department of Commerce, Ziply Fiber, and the Stilly Valley.”
The project is a collaboration between Snohomish County, Ziply Fiber, and the Washington Department of Commerce who provided a $17 million grant funded by the state’s infrastructure Acceleration Grant Program with federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
Wednesday’s ceremony took place at the Darrington Fire District Station 38 just east of Arlington, an area that currently does not have access to broadband service due to lack of fiber infrastructure.
Darrington Fire District 38 is just one of several institutions that will receive service as part of this project.
“This project is a model for rural communities across the country and will have a significant impact on north Snohomish County,” said Councilmember Nehring. “Our Broadband Action Team will continue to advocate for additional federal and state resources to bring this critical service to more parts of the county.”
The SR-530 Broadband Project will expand broadband infrastructure in underserved and unserved areas of Snohomish County to address digital equity and affordability for often rural communities.
The project will also leverage broadband to enhance public safety and drive economic workforce development opportunities, the county says.
Mike Doherty with Ziply Fiber said Wednesday that Snohomish County residents living in the area will be able to access 100 megabytes per second of high-speed internet service for the first time ever. The project will utilize fiber-optic cables connected to a pole system.
“Ziply Fiber was built with the mission of improving people’s lives by delivering a refreshingly great online experience. To deliver on that, we’ve been focused on building a fiber-optic network in cities and towns that have been underserved,” said Chief Marketing Officer Doherty. “From Darrington to Arlington and most places in between, we know people struggle with on-line access. Thankfully that’s no longer going to be the case as Ziply Fiber begins construction of a new fiber-optic network that will bring ultra-fast, reliable fiber internet to more than 4,300 homes from the edge of Arlington to the areas surrounding Darrington, as well as Bryant and Pilchuck north of Arlington.”
Sno-Isle Libraries has been a significant community partner for the county since the 2014 Oso mudslide when it was one of the few locations with access to an internet connection. During the pandemic the libraries expanded its internet services to surrounding areas in order to offer a social distanced access to critical information.
“I want to thank Snohomish County, the Snohomish County Broadband Action Team, State Broadband Office, and Ziply for launching this project. At Sno-Isle Libraries, we are committed to providing everyone with internet access through public Wi-Fi, and check out laptops and hotspots. At your public library you will always have access to the expansive internet and this project will connect residents at home too. We know digital access is critical for our communities to thrive, and our library staff are dedicated to digital inclusion and empowerment.” said Lois Langer Thompson, executive director, Sno-Isle Libraries.
When high-speed internet service becomes available in December, 2024, residents can register their address by visiting ziplyfiber.com/new-fiber-locations if their residences is not already covered, to ensure a large reach can make use of the project.
“As co-chair of the Snohomish County Broadband Action Team and as a State Representative, I am proud of the work our county and state are doing with our partners to bring broadband to underserved areas,” said State Representative, County Councilmember, and Broadband Action Team Co-Chair Sam Low, who was critical, along with Nehring, for bringing the project forward.
Aside from remote, work-from-home, options for Darrington/Arlington residents high-speed internet can boost telehealth options for the region which could be lifesaving in extreme circumstances.
“I’m thrilled to see Snohomish County’s investment in broadband for rural communities,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “I am glad to have helped secure federal funding to expand broadband access, an effort that will greatly benefit this community’s need for public safety, education, and healthcare.”
Snohomish County has allocated $5 million from its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward broadband efforts. The county is still in the process of determining how these investments will be prioritized.
The county undertook a gap analysis in 2022 and 2023 which helped identify where investments are needed to help guide its efforts moving forward.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
