In this episode, Paul Jewell sits down with Lincoln County Commissioner Scott Hutsell for a deep dive into one of Washington’s most ambitious rural broadband buildouts. Commissioner Hutzel shares how a decade of groundwork, smart partnerships, and six successful grants turned a sparsely populated county into a model for fiber‑to‑the‑home connectivity. From the early planning days to securing nearly $30 million in funding, he walks through the strategy, grit, and local relationships that made it possible. A must‑listen for any county leader looking to bring high‑speed internet to rural communities.

Recorded: February 20, 2026

----------

County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communit ...