Klickitat County Broadband

Thursday August 1 2024 Issue #2 Klickitat County Broadband Newsletter
Exciting news for high-speed internet options in Klickitat County! By Shane Milburn and Melissa Kephart,
Owner-Operators of Klick-Net Klick Networks, a new local internet service provider based in Klickitat County, has been awarded $800,000 by Washington Public Works to bring broadband internet to Trout Lake. This grant signifies a major step forward in connecting our communities and ensuring everyone has access to the digital resources they need. We live here and understand the importance of reliable, high-speed internet in today’s world. We’re committed to bringing that connectivity to underserved and unserved communities in Klickitat and Skamania Counties. Our Trout Lake project is just the beginning - we have ambitious plans to expand service throughout the Gorge, bridging the digital divide and fostering opportunity for all. Stay tuned for updates on our progress in Trout Lake and beyond! We’re thrilled to be a part of Klickitat County’s vibrant future, and we can’t wait to connect you. To learn more, visit us at www.klicknetworks.com.
KCBAT Seeking team members - Are you passionate about improving internet service for Klickitat County? Join the Klickitat County Broadband Action Team (KCBAT) and be a part of the effort to expand and enhance internet options across the county! This is your chance to make a real difference in our community’s connectivity. Here is some Q&A about volunteering with the KCBAT: Q: What roles do Klickitat County Broadband Action Team members have? A: Members of the Klickitat County Broadband Action Team can take on roles based on their interests, like writing emails, finding local broadband stories, attending meetings, or contributing to this newsletter! Q: Do team members need to be tech savvy? A: In fact, we aim to tell stories from all viewpoints; knowing the latest tech trends is not required. Q: How much of my time is needed? A: It’s what you have time for and most tasks can be done from the comfort of home. Want more info? Send us an email at BroadbandnewsKC@gmail.com. Klickitat County
Connecting Klickitat Struggling with slow home internet during virtual meetings? You’re not alone—many in Klickitat County face the same issue. A recent state survey found the average upload speed here is just over 6 megabits per second (that’s pretty slow), making video calls and streaming difficult. With multiple devices using the same connection, the problem gets worse. These online struggles extend beyond just meetings and streaming. This newsletter aims to improve internet service in our county. Although, opinions on the topic of better internet in Klickitat vary widely. While some of our neighbors enjoy the disconnection, many neighbors could benefit from better connectivity. Faster internet could support remote work, enhance educational opportunities, and provide essential virtual healthcare for our aging community members who, as of 2021*, made up over 32% of our county population. The KCBAT believes that everyone deserves access to reliable, affordable internet. Whether you use it or not is up to you. Do you want to help bridge the digital divide in Klickitat County? Email us to learn how you can make a difference. Thanks for reading. (*WA Employment Security Dept.)
Be Emergency Prepared - Ever wonder what Fire District you live in? What about the Commissioner District? Have you forgotten your property’s parcel number? Hey…it happens. For answers to these questions and more, visit the Klickitat County Interactive Mapping Program, available 24/7 on any desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Visit Klickitat County.org, select “Services” at the top of the webpage, then click “Interactive Mapping” and a new webpage window should open. *Read the notice on the map page! Agree to the terms of service, then start exploring the map's features and resources. Use the search function to find addresses and view parcel details. About that Fire District question that we mentioned earlier… 
1. At the top of the map, click “MAP LAYERS”.
2. Then click on “Add Data…”.
3. Next, click “Fire Districts” to view the mapped Fire Districts, then click “OK”.
Clear the Fire District layer from the map by clicking the ‘Fire District’ section in ‘Map Layers’. The 'click' and 'unclick' options help manage map layers. The ‘Map Layers’ menu also offers details on Commissioner, Recreation, Port, and Water Districts. For 24/7 access to Fire Districts and more, visit the Klickitat County Interactive Mapping Program. Happy exploring! Klickitat County Broadband Action Team (KCBAT) - BroadbandnewsKC@gmail.com