Finding ways to extend high-speed broadband capabilities to rural and underserved communities is "the economic development challenge of our time," Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said last week.  

Speaking to a group of local officials and regional economic development managers in Pomeroy, Wash., Inslee said high-speed connectivity is essential to keeping rural communities strong. It provides the infrastructure they need for education opportunities and medical service, and allows small-town businesses to find customers, compete and create jobs.

"It opens so many doors," he said. "Access to broadband is the single most important economic development tool in our toolkit right now, and the most necessary to our state."

Inslee said he was encouraged by steps the Washington Legislature took earlier this year to begin addressing the issue — including its approval of Pomeroy Rep. Mary Dye's bill that allows all port districts in the state to invest in open-access fiber-optic networks to serve their communities.

Dye, who attended Wednesday's meeting, has worked on this issue for at least three years. When she began looking for ways to extend high-speed internet services to small communities, she said, the Port of Whitman County proved to be the most effective, sustainable model.  

"Now we're trying to replicate that model statewide," Dye said.  

The state Legislature gave certain ports and public utility districts authority to invest in telecommunications networks in 2000. Joe Poire, executive director of the Port of Whitman, said his commissioners were the only ones to take advantage of the opportunity.