Senator Murray Announces Over $8 Million in Funding for Rural Broadband Access in Washington state

Senator Murray: “For our rural communities especially, this funding is going to be a game-changer and I’m proud to bring it back home to Washington state.”

ICYMI: VIDEO: Senator Murray Highlights How Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Will Expand Broadband Coverage, Lower Internet Costs in Washington State – MORE HERE 

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $8.6 million in funding to expand reliable, affordable, high-speed internet in Washington state. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Senator Murray was a leader in passing, and will be administered through the Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Loan and Grant Program.

“In the 21st Century, a reliable internet connection is absolutely vital. From telemedicine to competing in the global economy, families and small businesses need access to reliable high-speed internet,” said Senator Murray. “That’s why I fought tooth and nail to include record funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand connectivity across the country. For our rural communities especially, this funding is going to be a game-changer and I’m proud to bring it back home to Washington state.” 

The funding is going to the Kalama Telephone Company and will be used to improve affordable, high speed internet access for 4,330 people, 61 businesses, and 21 farms across rural Cowlitz County. 

A longtime advocate for expanding broadband access, Senator Murray worked to include $65 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure that every family in America has access to reliable, high speed internet. Notably, this includes Senator Murray’s Digital Equity Act, which helps to close the digital divide by funding activities that provide individuals and communities with the skills and technologies necessary to take full advantage of internet connection. Senator Murray also fought to include nearly $7 billion in the American Rescue Plan to increase access to high-speed internet services and close the digital divide.

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