The Port of Ridgefield, Washington, released an RFI to solicit informal proposals from private sector entities that may have an interest in leasing the Port’s planned 42 miles of dark fiber to make affordable broadband available to businesses, economic development areas, first-responder facilities, anchor institutions, and residences.

The information gleaned from this RFI will help guide the Port’s planning and investment in communications infrastructure, generate favorable terms for public-private collaboration to encourage new investment, and enhance the value of the investment that existing private providers have already made in the Port District. The Port hopes this initiative will support and accelerate private providers’ efforts to improve broadband service options in the District.

Ridgefield is one of the fastest growing cities in Washington. Located on I-5 just north of Vancouver, in the rapidly developing Discovery Corridor, the City more than doubled its population between 2000 and 2010. City officials are preparing for the population to triple in the next 15 years.

The Port District encompasses nearly 57 square miles, including areas to the north and south of the City of Ridgefield. As a municipal economic development organization, the Port has worked with the City of Ridgefield and other cities along the corridor to make key infrastructure investments.

The RFI is available here.