Washington Rural Broadband Program

Janea Stark
360.252.0812
janea.stark@commerce.wa.gov

Barbara Smith
360.764.9820
barbara.smith@commerce.wa.gov

The Washington State Department of Commerce provides low interest loan or loan/grant packages to build infrastructure to provide high-speed, open-access broadband service to rural underserved communities for the purpose of community economic development.

Eligible projects are those that encourage, foster, develop, and improve broadband in order to:

• Drive job creation, promote innovation, and expand markets for local businesses
• Serve the ongoing and growing needs of local education systems, healthcare systems, public safety systems, industries and businesses, governmental operations, and citizens
• Improve accessibility for underserved communities and populations

Eligible applicants include:

• Cities and towns
• Counties
• Federally recognized tribes
• Municipal corporations
• Quasi-municipal corporations
• Public port districts
• Special purpose districts

The loan maximum is $3,000,000 per project. Grants are available up to 25% of the total award, determined by the underwriting process and debt service coverage ratio.

Applicants must demonstrate feasibility with a supporting study and provide a cash match of 20% of the total project cost.

For loans:

• Interest rates: 1-3%
• Term: Up to 20 years

Links to additional guidance are available on the program website. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The Community Economic Revitalization Board meets every 2 months to consider projects and make funding decisions. Potential applicants must contact staff to discuss their project prior to receiving a link to the online application.