(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray
(D-WA) applauded the announcement made by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
that Washington state would receive a $20.4 million federal investment to
provide broadband access to communities in Ferry, Stevens, and Spokane county.
The funding will go to EcliptixNet Broadband, a rural-based Wireless Internet
Service Provider created to bring broadband Internet access to rural
communities.
“For underserved communities in Eastern
Washington, broadband internet is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said
Senator Murray. “This investment will help small business looking to
expand, create jobs, and compete in a global economy. Additionally, it will
provide communities with the tools to provide families with access to better
health care and better education. I’m proud to have supported this investment,
and will continue supporting projects that bring us closer toward our goal of
bringing high-speed internet to every corner of Washington state.”
This investment will allow EcliptixNet to offer 4G
high-speed broadband service through fixed and mobile wireless connections to
over 90 percent of the rural premises across the counties of Ferry, Stevens and
Spokane. As many as 68,408 people stand to benefit as do 3,600 businesses and
300 community institutions. The project will create over 200 direct jobs
and the expansion of broadband access will support economic growth in
communities across these counties.
Senator
Murray is a longtime supporter of expanding broadband access to communities
throughout Washington state. Senator Murray has introduced and supported
several bills that aim to bring high-speed internet access to rural areas
including her
bill to expand broadband construction by $4 billion, the Community
Telecommunications Planning Act, the Broadband Internet Access Act and the
Rural Broadband Enhancement Act. She has also worked to include funding for
access programs in the Farm Bill and Recovery Act.
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