PORT PROJECTS: SKAGIT

PORT PROJECTS: SKAGIT Broadband: The bold idea of a better way By Linda Tyler, Port of Skagit

In a time, and more specifically dur- This bold idea of a better way — to collaborate rather ing a year, when the need for connection cannot be overstated, the than compete — was well-received and garnered some Port of Skagit is making progress on bridging a digital divide that is destined traction. to keep widening if left unfettered.

In 1934, President Roosevelt created on connectivity for education, employ- healthcare professionals were hindered in the Rural Electrification Administration ment, health care, economic opportun- providing care to their patients. to bring electricity to the west. Within ities, public health, safety, and other These shortcomings were negatively 20 years, 90 per cent of rural homes in essential services on a daily basis. impacting economic opportunities, livethe west had affordable electricity. Today, The issue is no different for the Port of lihoods, sustainable jobs, quality of life our country is facing a similar challenge Skagit, located in northwest Washington — the very attributes the Port of Skagit of bringing an essential service — reli- State between the metropolitan cen- takes pride in developing and growable, affordable, high-speed broadband ters of Vancouver, B.C., and Seattle, ing within its community. Not unlike — to all corners of our communities, Washington. Three years ago, the Port the urgency level with any technologyespecially to rural, under-served and conducted an East County Telecom related matter, immediate action was unserved populations. Survey in its district, and uncovered needed…preferably yesterday.

Broadband service is no longer a lux- harsh inadequacies in internet service ury used for surfing the web, scheduling performance, affordability, and availabil- The Skagit County Community a pet grooming appointment, or check- ity. Responses from east county residents Fiber Optic Network ing out the latest TikTok video. It has revealed that merchants couldn’t process The notion of a countywide fiber become increasingly vital and is more business transactions, students couldn’t optic network came about organically. aptly defined as a basic utility like water, complete their homework, teachers While the Port of Skagit was poised sewer, and electricity. People are relying weren’t able to develop lesson plans, to make a request to Skagit County

for economic development funds during a highly competitive process with other agencies and municipalities, an idea struck — what if all these groups applying for fiber optic support organized themselves and developed a community wide plan for a unified, cohesive platform? This bold idea of a better way — to collaborate rather than compete — was well-received and garnered some traction. Soon to follow was a vision of a system that would benefit all communities called the Skagit County Community Fiber Optic Network.

The Port of Skagit and its partners got to work, identifying potential funding sources, developing plans, and forging strategic partnerships to help guide their collective work and capitalize on the experience and know-how of their colleagues. The group first turned to the Port of Whitman for mentorship. They developed their fiber optic network in eastern Washington two decades earlier. The Port of Whitman provided the group with an invaluable road map to navigate the world of networks and all its inherent challenges and opportunities. Bringing together ports, cities, towns, government agencies, economic development groups, and others was another key element to building a strong strategic plan and vision. It also led to the important partnership between the Port of Skagit and the Skagit Public Utility District. This seemingly unlikely collaboration gave way to SkagitNet, a joint governmental LLC created to oversee the operation and construction of the Skagit County Community Fiber Optic Network. Existing PUD infrastructure, combined with the Port’s mission of building economic development opportunities, helped connect the dots for this six-segment, 80+ mile span of dark fiber backbone, from the shoreline of the Salish Sea to the foothills of the North Cascades.

SkagitNet LLC was formally created in 2018 and quickly got started on its homework of determining what infrastructure was already in place that could be used for this countywide network. Along a parallel work track was forming more strategic collaborations, asking the right people for help, and building relationships with private-sector ISPs (internet service providers) who would be leasing the dark fiber system.

This publicly owned network is operated as an open access, carrier grade, multi-provider environment enabling private ISPs to access and lease the system, giving their customers consumer choice and competitive pricing. Additionally, revenues collected from the ISPs leasing the system are used to support ongoing maintenance and reinvestment into more capital SkagitNet projects, sustaining and expanding the system beyond anything one single entity could do. The model is not unique, but it is a bit revolutionary. Ports are in the enviable position of being mission-driven, not profitdriven. Ports are able to realize a return on investment over a longer time frame than that of the private sector, allowing them to fill a critical gap in infrastructure investment that won’t be filled by a for-profit company in need of quick returns. Ports, in turn, are able to be nimble and responsive to the unique needs of their respective communities.

Funding for this project has also been diverse. Skagit County committed an investment of $1 million annually for a total of three years to support the countywide fiber optic network, recognizing and confirming the value of this project for its citizens. The Washington State Department of Commerce, through its Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) and Public Works Board have collectively committed more than $3.5 million for planning, construction and, most recently, expansion beyond the original scope of six segments. With a loan/ grant combination from the Public Works Board, the project is expanding to one of the most difficult communities to connect geographically: the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe in the southeastern corner of Skagit County. What makes this section of network so critical is that it will provide huge value in regional redundancy, bringing service to a location that has zero options for connectivity, and fulfilling the Port’s mission of bringing economic opportunity to all areas of its district, no matter how isolated, no matter how small.

As the old saying goes, success breeds success. To date, five of the six original segments of the county-wide fiber optic backbone are complete and operating, utilizing new construction as well as existing PUD infrastructure. The network is currently operating with five private internet service providers leasing the system, delivering their service to their customers. Work continues on the expansion beyond segment six to the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, including design work and cultural resource studies. More port districts throughout Washington State are working collaboratively, in order to build their own networks and meet the needs of their own communities.

More than 800 different communities throughout the country follow a similar model. Public infrastructure, private service, and more rural connectivity are common goals, and the Port of Skagit is part of the conversation at the state level in creating a replicable model that works. The recipe calls for strategic partnerships, collaboration, a willingness to learn and listen, and the bold idea that perhaps there is a better way. PP