(Note: We apologize for this week's audio recording, which is intermittent in parts, due to technical problems.) 


For the past 25 years, Grant PUD’s wholesale Fiber Optic network has been in growth mode as it focused on the task of building out a system to serve Grant PUD customers countywide. Now with all major construction complete for the initial network, the Grant PUD Telecom & Fiber Services team is moving into a new era of operations and maintenance to keep the wholesale network sustainable. 

Terry McKenzie, Senior Manager of Telecom and Fiber Services told the Grant PUD’s Commission during her quarterly business report that at the start of 2025, about 75% of locations with fiber available are connect to the network through one of Grant PUD’s participating retail internet service providers. She added that the wholesale fiber revenues are projected to increase each year.  

These revenues, projected to be $15.9 million in 2025, will cover the costs to operate and maintain the system, as well as capital expenses to extend the network to a few small pockets of remaining customers who were bypassed in the initial construction, plus new homes and businesses that are being built in the county. Remaining dollars will be used to repay funds that came from Grant PUD’s electric system to build out that network. At the end of the year, the fiber system is projected to return $6.2 million back to Grant PUD’s general fund.  

McKenzie asked the commission for direction on what to do about the 290 Grant PUD customers who reside in the Spring Canyon area of Lincoln County (2:36:20 on commission audio). Since they are not in Grant County, they were not included in the plans for the countywide buildout. A recent modification in state law would allow Grant PUD to extend fiber service to them, since they are power customers outside of the Grant County line.  

Commissioners directed McKenzie to provide them with more information including how many of the customers would commit to subscribing to the network, how much they would be willing to pay for the estimated construction costs. McKenzie said she would return with that information in a later report for the commission.  

See the full report on pages 48-75 of the presentation materials. Hear the full discussion at 3:17:33 on the commission audio.  


Study will gauge future of Crescent Bar golf course

Grant PUD will hire a contractor by late March to study the long-term feasibility of the golf course on Crescent Bar Island.

Ross Hendrick, senior manager of Environmental Affairs, said the analysis will include the costs to continue to maintain the golf course, the course’s potential to eventually cover its costs, and potential options replace the course with other recreational amenities.

Responding to a concern by Commissioner Tom Flint, Hendrick said any options considered would  continue to be owned and operated by Grant PUD and its contractors.

The analysis should be finished by year end, with a possible commission decision on future recreation programing coming early next year, Hendrick said. Crescent Bar is on the Columbia River, west of Quincy.

See Environmental Affairs’ full quarterly business report on pages 26-35 of the presentation materials. Hear the full discussion at 1:39:37 on the commission audio.

Commissioners also: