Ephrata chamber and port join for fiber

Combined groups ask PUD to keep Zipp project alive

EPHRATA — The Port of Ephrata and Ephrata Chamber of Commerce joined forces Monday to persuade the Grant County Public Utility District to keep the Zipp fiber optic system alive and consider future expansion of the network.

"Please don't close the door on fiber entirely and, if an opportunity presents itself, be open to it," Chamber President Rita Witte read to the board of commissioners.

Port of Ephrata Manager Mike Wren told the commissioners, before their statement was read, that he values the partnership the port has with the PUD.

"You bring a lot to the table with respect to my ability to market this area," Wren said.

The partnership the port has with the chamber is equally important, Wren said.

"The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce and Port of Ephrata recognize the economic opportunities broadband provides to the local business community. We support and encourage the PUD to pursue future responsible expansion of the fiber network in Grant County," the two organizations wrote in the Nov. 7 letter.

"There are other technologies that are far less expensive and while not as fast as fiber, will more than meet the average user's needs. Many Internet Service Providers provide wireless, however, they require a fiber backbone."

And, "It is an economic advantage to have fiber available."

The PUD's primary job is low cost power, according to the letter, and anything that would jeopardize low rates for electricity should be avoided.

"Please take care of the priorities first. Get the reserves where they need to be," the two organizations wrote. "Then, if feasible, with the excess revenue from the better power contracts, look at completing the major backbone of the fiber network."

Commissioner Greg Hansen said his two main concerns are a reserve and contingency fund that can provide for two bad water years and having a higher level of working capital. Hansen said as of now, both of those goals appear attainable.

"We have to get those in order first before we can do anymore significant build out (of the fiber system)," he said. "In the future we will have to see what the budget allows."

As far as 2006, Hansen said the budget appears not to have money available for significant build out.