Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
POMEROY––Progress on the construction of the Port’s broadband system–underground and overhead portions of work–is approximately 75% complete, reported by Port of Garfield Director Diana Ruchert, at the October 6 meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
Contractor ZeroDB has been visible all over town and was said to be making great progress. The new deadline set for the project, after switching contractors, is December 31, 2020. However, representatives from ZeroDB contend they will be completed by early December, if not earlier.
Ruchert also reported that Charter Communications, doing business as Spectra, has applied to offer broadband services in Garfield County, and Columbia County. The company serves under-served rural areas, and low-income users, by offering cheaper rates achieved through grant funds. They would construct their own fiber network. However, the Port of Garfield is already being funded by a Community Economic Revitalization Board grant from the State of Washington, which may prevent Charter from obtaining another grant for the same purpose. The Port will be filing an Application Objection form with the State, per the recommendation of State Representative Mary Dye.
The extension of the Port’s Phase 1 of construction of the broadband system to the fairgrounds is making progress as well. Ruchert reported that almost all permitting has been completed, and they will be ready to go out to bid in the next two weeks, using a small works roster. The Port’s portion of the project will include about $55,000 to run fiber lines directly to the fairgrounds. At that point, the County takes over the completion of the project.
The advertisement by the Port for the surplus sale of an International tractor received one bid of $510 from Jim McKeirnan. The Board voted to accept the bid.
The preliminary 2021 budget for the Port will be presented at the next meeting, along with a list of capital projects to consider. The final Budget Hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2020.
The next meeting of the Port of Garfield will be October 20, 2020, at 6:30 p.m., at the Port office.