Over the last two years, Sherman County and its cities have come together to discuss broadband needs in its communities. After conducting surveys, community forums, and several planning meetings, the group identified partnership opportunities to develop a fiber-to-the-home network serving each of the cities in Sherman County and Biggs Junction. GorgeNet was selected to partner in providing that service during the summer of 2018 During the fall of 2018, the City of Moro was connected and this spring the Cities of Grass Valley, Wasco and Rufus will be connected. Speeds up to a gigabit will be available throughout.
Carrie Pipinich, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District Project Manager, coordinated the planning process, supported the communities in efforts to identify a partner to improve service and worked with the partners to successfully apply for $200,000 of funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund through Regional Solutions. Additional funding was provided by each City, Sherman County, and GorgeNet. Carrie works on broadband issues throughout the region and manages the Gorge Broadband Consortium. For more information on this and other new broadband developments, contact Carrie at 541-296-2266 or carrie@mcedd.org.