On A Broadband Mission
Rock Island approved for funding for further upgrades in San Juan County
Rock Island has completed the grant application process for funding through the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program. The award will support a major expansion of broadband access in San Juan County, extending service to nearly 4,000 locations through a combination of fiber-optic construction and fixed wireless upgrades.
The next phase builds on Rock Island’s successful rollout of American Rescue Plan Act-funded work that began in 2024 and brought fiber-optic service to 1,000 locations across the islands, including Center, Decatur and Blakely, and Orcas and San Juan islands. Crossing the finish line of another lengthy grant application process is an important milestone and an opportunity to connect homes and businesses that have long awaited improved broadband options.
What is BEAD?
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is a $42.45 billion federal grant program that aims to connect every American to highspeed internet by funding partnerships to build infrastructure. In June 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced allocation amounts for all 56 states and territories. BEAD funding covers the cost of gaining access to broadband service. It does not cover service activation fees or monthly service rates.
How Grant-Funded Project Areas Are Determined
As the community hears news about grantfunded broadband projects, questions naturally arise, especially, “Why isn’t my home on the list?” It is a fair question with a complex answer, and we understand it can be frustrating to see nearby locations included while your address is not.
One common misconception is that Rock Island determines which areas benefit from grant funding. In fact, the state and federal agencies administering each program define which locations are eligible. Those determinations are based on multiple criteria, with particular emphasis on whether a location lacks access to qualifying broadband service and if the cost of extending service is unusually high. Unfortunately, some locations that appear underserved may still be excluded.
Eligibility maps and funding decisions rely in part on service information and prior funding commitments reported through state and federal processes. When another provider reports that it already serves an area at qualifying speeds, that location may be treated as served—even when residents’ actual experience does not match the reported performance. Rock Island does not control those classifications, but we recognize their real impact on community members.
Why isn’t every location getting fiber?
If you heard about the American Rescue Plan Act grant that brought fiber-optic service to 1,000 of your neighbors, you may wonder why the BEAD program includes fiber-optic infrastructure and fixed wireless upgrades. The answer is largely about making the greatest possible community impact with available funding. Federal grant programs use a costper-location estimate to help determine how much funding is available for broadband construction. Island geography, transportation and permitting make construction here especially costly, so the approved design pairs targeted fiber with fixed wireless upgrades to reach more locations with the available funding.
Outreach Is Underway
If you have heard from Rock Island about the BEAD program, please respond. We want to hear from you. Outreach began in September. You may have received an email, phone call or physical mailer. Your early response helps us coordinate with contractors, plan schedules and map the long-term logistics for each project area. It is also your opportunity to ask questions and share important details about your property and neighborhood. The more we learn from residents, the better we can understand local conditions and work alongside individuals and groups of neighbors to move each project forward.
If you have not heard from us and would like to find out whether your home is eligible, visit rockisland.com/bead and click the “check eligibility” button. Be aware, the address lookup tool on Rock Island’s website is specific to fiber build areas, as those are the projects that require coordination with contractors, homeowners and our staff.
What Happens Next
Timing is often the first question, and we know residents are eager to understand when work may reach their area. Outreach is the first step, and strong participation can help a project area move through planning more efficiently. We will work closely with residents, neighborhood groups and other local partners throughout the process, providing clear updates and helping each area move forward as smoothly as possible. Before construction can begin, the project must complete environmental and historic-preservation review under the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106, along with permitting and final grant approvals. Weather, utility coordination and other project conditions may affect construction schedules. As we move through these steps, we will keep the community informed, share updates when milestones are reached and provide more specific timing as soon as it becomes available.
This project is supported in part by federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program funding administered by the Washington State Broadband Office within the Washington State Department of Commerce, using funding awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Availability, timing, technology and installation options may vary by location and are subject to federal and state grant requirements, environmental and historic preservation review, permitting, construction conditions and final project approvals. Submitting interest does not guarantee your property will receive BEAD-funded service. Learn more about BEAD by visiting the Washington State Department of Commerce at commerce.wa.gov/wsbo/bead.
