Grant PUD officials are calling on the nation’s policy makers to allow Public Utility Districts to compete for federal funding as they expand broadband internet service to the most hard-to-reach rural customers. In a news release the PUD said that the COVID-19 outbreak made people reconsider how they work, attend school, seek medical care and interact with family and friends so access to affordable broadband is more important than ever. This October the FCC will conduct a $16 billion competitive funding program.