Port of Skagit and PUD Form Broadband Company

The Port of Skagit and the Skagit Public Utility District approved an agreement Tuesday to jointly oversee the construction of a fiber optic network that extends from Anacortes to Concrete.

The agreement formed a joint company called SkagitNet. The company is the latest step in an effort to connect existing networks and extend fiber optic access to rural and east county communities such as Lyman and Hamilton.

Next, the port and PUD will develop an operating plan detailing how the two will work together as SkagitNet, port Executive Director Patsy Martin said.

The port will be the managing member, Martin said, and will oversee implementation of a Community Fiber Optic Network Strategic Plan written in March 2017 by the Port, the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County and other local organizations.

The network will consist of six fiber optic segments between Anacortes and Concrete that will deliver high speed internet access countywide.