HCC Expands Broadband to Eldon Area
The Chamber marked the completion of Hood Canal Communications‘ Eldon Area Broadband Project on January 5. HCC, Mason County Commissioners, project crews, and community stakeholders gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
HCC was awarded a grant in the amount of $502K from Mason County using American Rescue Plan Act funds. The total project estimate is $627K and will extend HCC’s backbone heading north and provide broadband services in the low-density Eldon area. The event will also commemorate the launch of a free community WiFi hot spot at the Eldon Store which is provided in collaboration with HCC, Mason County, and the Eldon Store.
The project will eventually serve 58 homes and businesses, which currently do not have access to broadband, with Fiber to the Home and offer broadband speeds up to 1,000 Mbps (Gigabit) synchronous. The Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) will serve the current and future needs of the area providing high speed internet, phone, and TV service. This infrastructure project will result in increased connectivity for rural Mason County residents, increased value of connected parcels, and support economic development through construction jobs and business tax revenue.
High speed internet service, once considered a luxury, is now recognized as a necessity. Digital inequality is an issue facing the more rural areas of Mason County. With the assistance of grant programs for projects like the Eldon fiber build, Hood Canal Communications can reduce digital inequality. High speed internet service also helps the business community to stay competitive while retaining their local presence and work force.
According to Mike Oblizalo, General Manager and Vice President, the company is extremely grateful for the partnership to the Mason County Commissioners for this infrastructure investment.
The grant application and the project have the support of many community partners including numerous home and property owners in the affected area. Sincere gratitude is expressed for the support of elected officials such as the Mason County Commissioners Kevin Shutty, Sharon Trask, and Randy Neatherlin.
This project is just one example of private-public partnerships to leverage available resources and maximize outcomes. HCC publicly acknowledged Mason PUD 1 and the utility’s General Manager Kristin Masteller for their continued cooperation.
Hood Canal Communications is a local communications service provider with approximately 8,500 residential and business customers in Mason County. With offices located in Union and Shelton, the company has been serving Mason County since 1934.
