October 16, 2025
Bow, WA 98232
RE: Bow/Colony Mountain Fiber Optic Project
Dear Property Owner,
The Port of Skagit County received a grant to build a fiber to the home project and is currently under construction in two areas of Skagit County. The Port has partnered with Astound Broadband on these projects. One of the project areas is the Bow/Colony Mountain Fiber Optic Project.
The Port has received several questions about the requirements of participating in the project. These questions are addressed below in the Q & A format.
Q: Do I have to participate in the project?
A: No. The decision to connect your home to the fiber optic network is strictly voluntary.
Q. Will it cost me anything to connect to the fiber optic network?
A. Not if you sign up for installation before December 15th of this year. The cost of installing the fiber optic line to your home is fully covered by grant funds until December 15th.
Q. What happens if I sign up after December 15, 2025?
A. After December 15th, installation will be funded at 90% through August 31, 2026 or until grant funds run out. After August 31, 2026, the project will be complete and future installations will not be covered by grant funds.
Q. If I already have Astound Broadband service at my home (either internet or cable TV), do I need to sign up for this project?
A. Yes. The current Astound service in your community is delivered by older coaxial cable. This project will connect your home to new fiber optic cable and replace the older connection infrastructure. You need to actively sign up for this new fiber optic connection, even if you are already receiving service from Astound.
Q. If I already have TV/internet service through a different provider (including wireless providers), is there any benefit to signing up for this project?
A: Yes. You can sign up to connect your home to fiber optic cable regardless of whether you intend to sign up for internet service through Astound. The cable will simply be available to you in the future should you wish to sign up for service later and will be available to the next homeowner should you ever sell your home.
Q: Can fiber optic cable provide better internet service than my existing system?
A: Yes. Fiber optic cable provides fast, reliable connections with high bandwidth and symmetrical upload/download speeds. It is considered the most reliable, high-speed internet available.
Q: Will this installation last for a long time?
A: Yes. Fiber optic cable is estimated to last for 25-50 years.
Q: If I sign up is there a minimum amount of time I need to subscribe (sign up for service with Astound)?
A: No. Astound’s product offerings do not require a minimum amount of time of contract for service, and you can sign up for service at any time after fiber optic installation. Astound does offer price guarantees within timeframes of anywhere from 12 to 36 months.
Q: How do I sign up to receive a fiber optic connection to my home?
A: Please contact Astound Community Direct Sales Representatives:
Rejeana Hartzell Stephen Zinda
Rejeana.hartzell@astound.com Stephen.zinda@astound.com
360.333.8097 360.603.6766
Q: What is required from me to sign up for the installation?
A: Astound will provide you with a waiver to sign, authorizing installation on your property. The Port sent out letters to individuals who live on private roads requesting access to utilize the original plat easements. If authorization has not been granted by the HOA or individuals living downstream towards the public road, we may not have permission to install fiber up to your road to provide services. The Port currently does not have approval for the following roads: Alpha Lane, Cedar Drive, Colony Creek Lane, Deerhaven Road, Dragon Fly Lane, Hobson Lane, Moxie Lane, Peace Lane, Peppermint Lane, Regulus Lane, Tulip Lane, and Turtle Lanes. If you live on any of these roads, please reach out to the Port’s Project Manager Travis Binschus at travisb@portofskagit.com.
Q: Who should I call if I want fiber optic connections to my home, but don’t want to sign up for service with Astound at this time?
A: Please call the Astound contacts listed above and let them know you would like the installation but are not planning to sign up for service at this time. Astound is the manager of this fiber optic system and will also manage record keeping for the installation, including the waiver required to allow the installation on your property.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Travis Binchus at the email address listed of call (360) 757-0011.
Sincerely,
Sara K. Young
Executive Director
Colony Mountain Community Club 