Federal money 'critical' for faster rural internet

Federal money is "critical" to bringing faster internet to rural areas. That's assessment from Justin Holzgrove, a manager for a public utility district (PUD) in Washington state's Olympic Peninsula.

Holzgrove has used federal grants to partially fund extension of broband internet to communities that still rely on connections up 1,000 times slower.

" ability to apply for federal grants to expand broband infrastructure is very critical. private companies have essentially kind of run out of steam in se rural communities. y haven't been upgring infrastructure or putting fiber in ground to home," said Holzgrove.

Holzgrove compared expanding broband to electrification of rural areas, where local governments h to step in to go where private companies stopped.

Senate recently passed a nearly $1 trillion bipartisan plan to rebuild ros and bridges, modernize public works systems and boost broband internet, among or improvements to nation's infrastructure.

legislation's $65 billion for broband access would aim to improve internet services for rural areas, low-income families and tribal communities. Most of money would be me available through grants to states.

Mason County, where Holzgrove works, is a mountainous and forested area that touches a fjord called Hood Canal.

"re is something called digital divide. I'm sure people are aware of it. And people that are on on slow Internet side of digital divide are very aware of it. It impacts daily life. Those of us that do have fast Internet at home have access to better education opportunities, better telehealth opportunities, maybe even so far as finding jobs," he said.

Crews from Mason County PUD 3 have been working on homes in Harstine Island, a community of retirees and vacation homes. homes that were getting broband were across street from Carol Ragus' home, but she can't wait for her turn.

"Well, what I'm really looking forward to is my son works for Amazon and he comes out on weekends and he would like to be able to work here and stay out here more. And he can't because he says, 'I just I can't I couldn't get any work done' - with fiber and broband, he'll be able to do that. So I'm looking forward to having my son and my daughter in law out here more often."