Federal money 'critical' for faster rural internet

Federal money is "critical" to bringing faster internet to rural areas. That's the assessment from Justin Holzgrove, a manager for a public utility district (PUD) in Washington state's Olympic Peninsula.

Holzgrove has used federal grants to partially fund the extension of broadband internet to communities that still rely on connections up 1,000 times slower.

"The ability to apply for federal grants to expand broadband infrastructure is very critical. The private companies have essentially kind of run out of steam in these rural communities. They haven't been upgrading infrastructure or putting fiber in the ground to the home," said Holzgrove.

Holzgrove compared expanding broadband to the electrification of rural areas, where local governments had to step in to go where private companies stopped.

The Senate recently passed a nearly $1 trillion bipartisan plan to rebuild roads and bridges, modernize public works systems and boost broadband internet, among other improvements to the nation's infrastructure.

The legislation's $65 billion for broadband access would aim to improve internet services for rural areas, low-income families and tribal communities. Most of the money would be made available through grants to states.

Mason County, where Holzgrove works, is a mountainous and forested area that touches a fjord called Hood Canal.

"There is something called the digital divide. I'm sure people are aware of it. And the people that are on the on the slow Internet side of the digital divide are very aware of it. It impacts daily life. Those of us that do have fast Internet at home have access to better education opportunities, better telehealth opportunities, maybe even so far as finding jobs," he said.

Crews from Mason County PUD 3 have been working on homes in Harstine Island, a community of retirees and vacation homes. The homes that were getting broadband were across the street from Carol Ragus' home, but she can't wait for her turn.

"Well, what I'm really looking forward to is my son works for Amazon and he comes out on the weekends and he would like to be able to work here and stay out here more. And he can't because he says, 'I just I can't I couldn't get any work done' - with fiber and broadband, he'll be able to do that. So I'm looking forward to having my son and my daughter in law out here more often."