Telecommunications giant Comcast announced earlier this summer the company is extending its multigig broadband speed internet services to rural parts of the county.
"We are particularly proud of this partnership, which will see Comcast constructing the necessary infrastructure to deliver a robust, fiber-rich network and a full suite of services to over 500 homes and businesses," the company said in a July news release. Comcast won a bid from Clark County for the expansion.
Clark County has seen slow broadband growth in recent years, something that became a point of contention during the latest primary race for Clark Public Utilities district commissioner.
Former commissioner candidate and broadband advocate Chris Thobaben highlighted his desire to bring universal broadband internet to the county using Clark Public Utilities.
"This is not reinventing the wheel," Thobaben said during a July Columbian Editorial Board meeting. "We just have to actually take it as a priority here."
Thobaben, however, wasn't successful in his bid for commissioner. Clark Public Utilities has made no public plans to add universal broadband internet to its services.
Clark County saw 3 percent growth in broadband access over the past four years, according to a new study from HostingAdvice. The county had among the smallest increases in the state, with 29 counties seeing higher percentages in growth.
The study also found that Washington saw among the worst gains in broadband access across the country.
Meanwhile, Clark County is working to extend broadband infrastructure into underserved parts of the county. The county launched a community survey on the topic in 2023.
"This public-private partnership is years in the works, and I am gratified to finally see it move forward," Clark County Council Chair Gary Medvigy said in a news release.
Medvigy said the county is pursuing other large grants to continue adding access to other underserved areas.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of internet access as students and businesspeople alike turned to their computers to carry on with school and work without in-person communication.
John McDonagh, Greater Vancouver Chamber president and CEO, said having a solid broadband infrastructure is imperative for new businesses forming as the county continues to grow.
"From facilitating reliable point-of-sale transactions to building an environment where more people can participate in the creative economy and deliver professional services, broadband is a cornerstone," said Jennifer Baker, president of the Columbia River Economic Development Council.
Comcast said construction on the project will continue into summer 2025.
© 2024 The Columbian (Vancouver, Wash.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
