Shoshone County eyes broadband

WALLACE — Many rural areas in America struggle to get broadband internet services, but there is currently a push to get services in place. 

“The federal government recognizes broadband as a crucial infrastructure and it’s moving in that direction so that broadband is something communities have to have on the same level as water, sewer and electricity,” said Colleen Rosson, Shoshone County economic development and county grants administrator.

She said bringing broadband to the Silver Valley has been something county officials and residents have been trying to do.

Speed testing to establish low and unstable internet speeds and community outreach meetings have been part of the groundwork the Shoshone County Broadband Action Team and county officials have focused on to chip away at impediments to funding for future broadband projects.

Rosson and Linda Yergler were inspired to form the local broadband action team after North Idaho Broadband workshops in late 2020 were held through Panhandle Area Council, Clearwater Economic Development Association and Broadband USA.

FCC broadband access mapping relies heavily on the larger internet providers to say where service is provided, which is why speed testing creates additional data showing the actual internet speeds.

When the USDA Broadband Technical Assistance Grant opened up last year through the United States Department of Agriculture, the county applied for funding and in a Board of County Commissioners consent agenda meeting March 13, county officials announced Shoshone County had received a preliminary letter to receive up to $80,000 related to broadband projects.

“What this does is pay for consultants and engineers as well as outreach activities to help with the scope of work,” Rosson said.

If county commissioners accept the grant funding, it would better allow for local asset mapping of community hubs in need of broadband and show what’s already serviceable and in place.

During the grant presentation in front of the BOCC, Rosson said, “We can combine that with the other internet service providers and the other broadband action teams that are in surrounding communities to make sure that we're not left behind and that we are included in getting broadband infrastructure into the county.”

Digital access and inclusion when it comes to reliable internet use is something the USDA hopes to apply evenly across the country and U.S. provinces through items like the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, which may also provide funding opportunities.

“Without those foundational pieces, we couldn’t even throw our hat into the ring,” Rosson said.

Funds through the USDA Broadband Technical Assistance Grant can be used to promote broadband expansion in rural areas and work on outreach, internet operations, financial sustainability, environmental compliance, construction/engineering planning, accessing federal resources and data collection and reporting.