The following is a release from King County:

King County Executive Dow Constantine awarded $300,000 in grant funds on Feb. 12 to maintain and upgrade the community’s access to four public, educational and government (PEG) cable channels.

“Cable access supports free speech, promotes equity and social justice, and keeps people connected with their local government,” Constantine said. “Cable access strengthens our democracy.”

The grants to Puget Sound Access, Voice of Vashon, Seattle Community Media, and King County TV range from $50,000 to $125,000. The funds will pay for upgrades to field equipment and delivery systems, and for renovation of existing studios.

All four PEG channels provide programming to their communities. Two of them, Puget Sound Access and Seattle Community Media, also offer low-cost public access to video equipment, production facilities, and training so that people can create their own programming.

“These PEG channels provide information opportunities for people by promoting informed communities and continued engagement,” said Bill Kehoe, the executive’s chief information officer.

The 1984 Cable Communications Act provides for the County to secure funds for public, education, and government programming as part of its negotiation with Comcast Cable on a new 10-year cable franchise agreement.