| Construction of a government-supported broadband network in Key Peninsula has been completed ahead of schedule, according to officials. The project has expanded Comcast’s Internet service to 600 homes and businesses in the north end of the peninsula — 70 more than planned. Pierce County is heading the expansion of broadband infrastructure to underserved areas of the county. The program partners county funding with service providers to build infrastructure for the benefit and quality of life of residents and to enhance economic opportunities for local businesses, said County Executive Ryan Mello. The approximately $5 million project was funded as a public-private partnership between Comcast and Pierce County, with the county contributing $3.75 million of federal funding allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Similar work by Comcast and the county is planned for the county-owned Thun Field (Pierce County Airport) in South Hill near Puyallup. Comcast will offer low-income families and individuals access to the Internet Essentials program, which has provided connectiond for more than 500,000 low-income Washingtonians, according to the company. “Broadband is more than just infrastructure – it’s a connection to opportunity,” said Mello. Access to the Internet is necessary for residents to live, learn, and work across Pierce County.” |
| More information is available at PierceCountyWa.gov/BoostingBroadband. |