The following is a statement from Mike Oblizalo, Vice President & General Manager of Hood Canal Communications, on signing a contract with Washington State State Broadband Office for BEAD Program funds:
Hood Canal Communications is honored to be among one of the first seven broadband providers to execute Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program agreements with the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) and begin moving these important projects forward.
Our BEAD-funded project, developed in partnership with the Skokomish Tribe, will expand high-speed broadband access to tribal members while also enhancing the resiliency and reliability of Hood Canal Communications’ network infrastructure. This collaboration demonstrates the power of partnerships in addressing connectivity challenges and creating lasting benefits for rural and Tribal communities.
We commend the Washington State Broadband Office and Director Jordan Arnold for their leadership and commitment to advancing solutions that connect unserved and underserved communities throughout Washington State. The execution of these agreements marks a significant milestone in closing the digital divide and creating opportunities for thousands of Washington residents to access reliable, affordable, and high-speed broadband services.
As a locally owned and operated telecommunications provider serving rural Washington communities for generations, Hood Canal Communications understands firsthand the challenges faced by residents and businesses when reliable broadband service is unavailable. We are proud to partner with the State of Washington to extend fiber-optic infrastructure to areas that have historically been underserved and to ensure that rural communities have access to the same opportunities available in urban centers.
This investment represents far more than the construction of broadband infrastructure. It is an investment in the future of rural Washington. It will help ensure that families, businesses, farms, schools, healthcare providers, Tribal communities, and emergency responders can fully participate in today’s connected world while creating a foundation for future growth and innovation.
Hood Canal Communications appreciates the confidence placed in us by the Washington State Broadband Office and remains committed to delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable broadband infrastructure that will serve our communities for generations to come.