Broadband Project
Lewis County Broadband Expansion
Lewis County Broadband Expansion Project (Winlock Area) A Public/Private Partnership with Lewis County and ToledoTel supported by Funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce through the Broadband Office.
The Lewis County Broadband Expansion Project, supported by funding from the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) through ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and matching funds by ToledoTel. The funding, made available due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is transforming connectivity in the Winlock area and surrounding rural communities.
Originally awarded $23.5 million, the grant was increased by $3,593,556 through Amendment B (approved via Lewis County Board of Commissioners Resolution 24-229), bringing the total grant amount to $27,093,556. This public-private partnership between Lewis County and ToledoTel was proposed to deliver high-speed fiber-optic broadband to more than 2,300 homes and businesses previously underserved by reliable internet access, with ToledoTel providing matching funds.
The project has installed over 130 miles of fiber mainline and 160 miles of fiber drops passing over 2,800 homes, enabling fast, symmetrical speeds that support education, telehealth, remote work, economic growth, and an improved quality of life across South Lewis County.
Groundbreaking took place in October 2023, with the first fiber-to-the-premises connections activated in spring 2024 and a celebratory ribbon-cutting event marking this major milestone. Amendment C extends the grant end date to October 31, 2026, and adjusts withholding procedures. This initiative exemplifies successful collaboration between local government and the private sector to close the digital divide in rural Washington.
Final grant completion and closeout are in process.
Major Coverage Highlights:
- ToledoTel Moving Forward With Massive Broadband Expansion in Winlock’s 2,300-Plus Homes and Businesses (Jan 29, 2023) Details the project moving into engineering/design phase, matching funds, and county ownership of infrastructure.
- Construction on Project to Bring Broadband to Winlock Set to Begin Soon (Sep 13, 2023) Covers the $23.5 million WSBO grant, ToledoTel’s contribution, and upcoming construction timeline.
- Broadband Expansion to 2,300 Homes, Businesses in Winlock Breaks Ground (Oct 13, 2023) Groundbreaking announcement with project scope (134 miles of fiber) and funding details.
- In Focus: ToledoTel, County Officials Celebrate Milestone in High-Speed Internet Project in Winlock (May 3, 2024) First fiber connection celebration at KR Rentals.
- Celebration for First Connection of Project to Bring High-Speed Internet to 2,300 Homes and Businesses (Apr 29, 2024) Milestone event coverage.
- Nearly 1,500 Winlock Area Residents Opt In to Broadband Expansion Project (Oct 21, 2024) Strong community signup numbers and project progress update.
Earlier/Related Articles:
- Lewis County Joins ToledoTel in Effort to Expand Broadband (Oct 13, 2021) — Initial partnership and grant pursuit.
- ToledoTel Seeks Partnership With Lewis County to Expand to Winlock, Napavine (Sep 16, 2021) — Early planning.
- Lewis County Press Release https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/4oj4bfrgnd69ntpn0hxoet688of7gpjx
- Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO): “Congratulations to Lewis County and ToledoTel on completing their first broadband connection with the Winlock Broadband Expansion project.” https://www.commerce.wa.gov/wsbo/
- Govtech.com https://www.govtech.com/network/lewis-county-wash-broadband-work-marks-first-connection
Grant Documents and Resolutions
This list is not exhaustive and does not include all documents or minutes related to the Broadband project. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) received many project updates during the multi-year effort. A searchable database of BOCC meeting minutes and resolutions is available here: https://docs.lewiscountywa.gov/Bocc/Welcome.aspx?repo=LCIMAGING.
10/4/2021 - NOFO Washington State Broadband Office
10/5/2021 - Letter of Support Lewis County Broadband Champions
10/12/2021 - Minutes for Submitted Proposal Review I with BOCC
10/12/2021 - Minutes for Submitted Proposal Review II with BOCC
10/13/2021 - Minutes BOCC Approval of ToledoTels RFP and Direction to Submit Grant Application
11/23/2021 - Minutes Prosecutor Update Broadband Agreement Review
11/30/2021 - Lewis County Broadband Expansion Application
1/1/2022 - WSBO Fall 2021 Acceleration Grants
1/19/2022 - Notice of Award
04/5/2022 - Resolution 22-095 Establishing the Broadband Fund No 3340
9/27/2022 - Resolution 22-313 Approve Grant Agreement with WA State Department of Commerce WSBO
9/27/2022 - Resolution 22-314 Telecom Agreement with ToledoTel
9/27/2022 - Minutes approving Resolution 22-313 and 22-314
9/2022 - WSBO Handbook 21-23
12/13/2022 - Resolution 22-406 RFP Archaeological Monitoring
2/28/2023 - Resolution 23-074 Approve agreement with Antiquity Consulting Services for Archaeological Monitoring
11/21/2023 - Resolution 23-365 Approve an amendment to the agreement with Antiquity Consulting
1/23/2024 - Resolution 23-036 Approve ILA between Lewis County and Northwest Open Access Network
02/13/2024 - Resolution 24-061 Approve Franchise for Work in the County ROW
7/16/2024 - Resolution 24-229 Approve a grant amendment with the Washington State Broadband Office
7/22/2025 - Resolution 25-213 Approve amendment to agreement with Antiquity Consulting LLC