Lewis County Public Utility District Board awards Broadband Action Team Chair Frank Corbin a recognition plaque for his work on the Lewis County Broadband Action and Digital Equity Plan.
Chehalis, WA - The Lewis County PUD (PUD) Board of Commissioners recognized the chair of the Lewis County Broadband Action Team (BAT) on Tuesday night at their regular meeting.
BAT Chair Frank Corbin was presented with a plaque recognizing his oversight of the Lewis County Broadband Action and Digital Equity Plan.
“It is not often the Commission gets the honor to recognize Lewis County citizen volunteers for their hard work,” said PUD Commissioner Michael Kelly. “We, the PUD Board of Commissioners, the PUD ratepayers, and their families are thankful for Frank Corbin’s leadership of the Lewis County Broadband Action Team and its volunteers’ planning work which will now allow the PUD and other local eligible entities to apply competitively for grant money from the Federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.”
The Lewis County Broadband and Digital Equity Plan was completed in June, which allows broadband entities in Lewis County to qualify for the Federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
“I'm honored to receive this recognition, but I cannot pass this moment by without honoring the team of volunteers that put in so much time, expertise, and effort into the successful completion of the Action and Digital Equity Plan that will reap millions in federal broadband grant dollars benefiting Lewis County residents and businesses,” said Corbin. “Our work will continue, and we will not fail to meet our objective to ensure every resident and business in Lewis County has affordable, fast, and reliable broadband that allows them to achieve the maximum benefits that digital connectivity can provide. Thank you to the Lewis County PUD for your strategic long-range planning and support that helped ensure this initial Lewis County Broadband Action Team success.”
Lewis County Broadband Action Team's Broadband Action and Digital Equity Plan work was completed by an all-volunteer group of individuals representing Lewis County, Lewis County PUD, Timberland Regional Library, the Port of Chehalis, Althea, and a number of local citizens.
The PUD also recently launched a new broadband project address search tool that lets people see if and when broadband is coming to their home or business.
Anyone can visit the Lewis County Website, click the “Broadband” tab, enter an address, and see if their location is in an upcoming project area.
There is also a survey to fill out that will help PUD with future projects.
About Lewis County Public Utility District
Lewis County PUD is a community-owned, locally governed utility providing power services and telecommunications infrastructure to approximately 35,000 customers throughout most of Lewis County and adjacent communities.