Fiber optic internet to reach new areas of Whitman County

COLFAX - A Port of Whitman collaboration to bring fiber internet to new areas in Whitman County is expected to finish this summer in Rosalia, Tekoa, Oakesdale, Garfield and Palouse.

Target date for completion is before Labor Day.

Construction began last fall as Kirkland based-Ziply Fiber built infrastructure while the port agreed to pay a $1.3 million in a right-of-use fee, which grants the port the right to use the system for 20 years. They can sell its connections wholesale to internet providers serving the towns.

The agreement with Ziply allows the port to save an estimated $1.5 million in...