IMESD helps bring broadband to Ukiah
By Terry Murry on Friday, October 29th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UKIAH – The InterMountain Education Service District has been working for many years to bring high-speed internet connectivity to rural communities. The need for that became more urgent when the COVID-19 pandemic forced school districts into distance learning. Superintendent Mark Mulvihill said it was a major victory to get funding for Ukiah’s connectivity.
“Getting high speed internet to the Blues and getting fiber up there has been a priority and on a list for a long time,” he said. “We were finally able to push that through.”
The ESD has been recognized for its work to bring broadband to rural communities. One of Mulvihill’s favorite stories has to do with the city of Elgin.
“Before we were able to get the fiber to Elgin it was actually a satellite dish up in the Blue Mountains, and when it snowed, someone had to go on a snowmobile and readjust it for internet to work in Elgin,” he said. “That obviously is not the way you need to educate kids in today’s world.”
