Washington Business 2018 AWB Rural Jobs Outlook | Page 12

Rural Broadband
Rural broadband internet represents
another fundamental element of
economic development. Several rural
Eastern Washington counties, including
Lincoln, Adams, and Ferry, lack access
to broadband internet. An estimated
200,000–400,000 people lack access to
broadband across the state. Given the
internet’s pervasiveness to all commerce,
as well as to quality of life and education,
Number of Washington
residents who lack access
to broadband internet.
Pg. 12
reaching all of the state with broadband
internet is critical to success in the 21st
century. Doing this will require a $450
million investment, according to a 2017
report published by the Association of
Washington Business, the Association
of Washington Cities, the Washington
State Association of Counties, and the
Washington Public Ports Association.