Port signs fiber-to-home agreement

COLFAX – The Port of Whitman County announced Aug. 6 a collaboration to bring a fiber internet network to new areas of Whitman County.

Construction will take place in Rosalia, Tekoa, Oakesdale, Garfield and Palouse, to begin this fall in certain areas, laying lines in the ground.

Ziply Fiber of Kirkland, Wash., will build the infrastructure while the Port pays a $1,280,700 indefeasible right-of-use fee (IRU), which grants the Port the right to use the system for 20 years, to sell its connections wholesale to internet providers serving these towns.

The agreement with Ziply allows the Port to sa...