Grant PUD Sets a 2020 Goal to Expand Fiber Network to More Areas

Grant PUD is preparing to expand fiber-optic network service to several areas in 2020, pending approval of Grant PUD's 2020 budget.

"We've proposed $13.3 million for fiber expansion in the 2020," said Christine Pratt, public information officer. "If they (commissioners) approve the funding, we expect to expand to six more areas in Grant County that currently don't have service."

Expansion efforts would envelope areas 1-15 on Grant PUD's priority list, which can be found here. Some areas targeted for fiber expansion include locations around Ephrata, Electric City and a couple of areas in the Quincy, George vicinity.

"The areas on our list are prioritized according to build out cost and the number of people in the area who could potentially take service there," said Pratt. "We also consider median income in each area to try to get fiber faster to those who might otherwise have a harder time affording high speed Internet."

The long term goal is to make fiber network available county wide in four years.