Hood Canal Communications Pumping Millions into Community Connectivity

If nothing more, the pandemic showed us the importance of internet access and connectivity. As society becomes more dependent on technology, digital inequality is increasingly a problem for rural areas of the country. The benefits of access to high-speed internet are numerous and touch all aspects of modern life for all ages: telehealth, remote learning, working from home, and Zoom are a part of our everyday vernacular and are only made possible with fast and reliable high-speed internet. In Mason County, Hood Canal Communications (HCC) has been at the forefront of providing not only internet access, but fiber, to those of us in the most rural areas.

In early 2021, HCC finished up the $2.3M Connect Cushman project, privately contributing an additional $352K that brought fiber connectivity in Hoodsport up to Lake Cushman’s furthest point. “Our priority is connecting our community with the rest of the world,” said General Manager Mike Oblizalo. “These stable, high-speed connections are vital and each project that we complete has paved the way for other granting opportunities.”

Since bringing fiber to Lake Cushman, HCC has continued to provide access to those in areas that no one else seems interested in. In fact, HCC has aggressively pursued and received multiple state and federal grants, both multiple state and federal grants, both directly and in partnership, to ensure that even the most rural communities have access to gigabit broadband service. Not only do homeowners benefit directly from the infrastructure, it also helps companies expand beyond their traditional service areas into neighboring areas which are currently unserved.

Following the Cushman project, HCC was awarded a grant to bring broadband connectivity to the Mason/Thurston County border, providing service to both residences and businesses, offering gigabit (1,000 Mbps) broadband internet, HD streaming television, and critical phone service. The entire project was built using high-speed fiber optic lines, extending all the way to become fiber to the home.

Most recently, HCC partnered with PUD1 for a $10.1M broadband grant to build a fiber network along US Highway 101 into Jefferson County up to Brinnon. The project will provide fiber to the home and close the digital divide for rural residents and businesses that are currently unserved. Additionally, the infrastructure is being built to accommodate future expansion and faster speeds, initially providing internet speeds up to a gig (1,000 Mbps) synchronous.

“We are excited to serve these areas. Many areas in our community are broadband deserts, so we know that we are improving the lives of residents through connectivity,” says Oblizalo. He goes on to say that community support is paramount. “We are grateful to have many community supporters including homeowners, businesses, tribal officials, school districts, public agencies, public officials, and even a local Community Task Force on Broadband. We rely on those partnerships and supporters.”

Hood Canal Communications is a local service provider with approximately 7,000residential and business customers in Mason County. With offices located in Union and Shelton, the company has been serving Mason County since 1934. For more information go to hcc.net or call (360) 898-2481.