RITZVILLE, Wash. – Construction has begun on a $10.6 million project aimed at expanding high-speed broadband services across Adams County.
According to a press release from Port of Whitman County, the project will benefit nearly 2,500 households, businesses, and organizations in the cities of Ritzville, Othello and Lind.
The project comes as a response to the county’s longstanding broadband limitations, particularly in rural and agricultural areas. Adams County has been classified as a broadband “desert,” where many residents, including farm workers and students, have faced challenges in accessing reliable internet services. This expansion is expected to provide critical infrastructure, enabling farms to adopt advanced technologies for precision farming and improving internet access for residents, businesses, and educational institutions.
“This is a major investment for Adams County and a milestone for our communities, providing reliable, high-speed internet access to thousands of residents who have long struggled with limited service,” said Dan Blankenship, Commissioner for Adams County. “The economic and social benefits are significant, including access to critical technology, employment opportunities, healthcare services, and more.”
The project is being funded through a $10.3 million grant from the Washington State Broadband Office, awarded in February 2022. Adams County is contributing approximately $300,000, bringing the total investment to $10.6 million.
The construction contract was awarded to Zero dB Communications, a Spokane-based firm specializing in fiber optic splicing and construction. Work is currently underway in Lind and Ritzville, with full project completion expected in 2025.
Once completed, the expansion will provide high-speed internet access to underserved areas of Adams County, contributing to the broader goal of bridging the digital divide across Washington state.
