First to connect

POMEROY–Inland Cellular began fiber optic installation this week, starting with the Jack Peasley residence on Arlington Street here Monday.

He and a neighbor across the street will be able to test out the benefit of faster internet via fiber optic services as soon as Monday of this week. "It is starting here first and the house across the street," said Peasley. "It is so exciting to see it finally happening."

Fiber optic availability to rural communities was made possible by legislation initiated by Washington State Rep. Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy-9). "It is satisfying to finally to see a piece of an idea to come to completion," said Rep. Dye. "I am super happy to see that Pomeroy was able to utilize the provision of the policy to get their open access network built."

"It is my hope that it open access network will ultimately and quickly get out to the rural parts of our county where so much of our economic base provide for our rural communities," Dye said. "'Rural' is the guy at the very end of the road. It's those farms and businesses outside of town that are needing that availability."

The Port of Garfield had the foresight to pursue funding to implement the "dark fiber" network, obtaining grant funding and seeing the project through the construction phase, including needing to resubmit the proposal for completion of the project. Zero dB Communications, LLC out of Spokane, Wash., finished the fiber installation so that individuals who pre-registered for fiber hook-up would now be able to be connected to the main line by their providers. Companies offering internet through fiber optic service in the Pomeroy area are First Step Internet, Inland Cellular and Pocket iNet.

Utilizing recent legislative policy, Pomeroy is a smaller community that has started to connect to fiber optic, which will further develop economic growth and stability for rural businesses.