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CHARLESTON -- Several local projects are expected to receive funding from the West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan, helping to bring high-speed internet to hundreds of area residents, Gov. Jim Justice has announced.
The preliminary approval of more than $32 million under two programs was announced by Justice, for applications received under the programs Line Extension Advancement and Development and Major Broadband Project Strategies.
"I am committed to ensuring that all West Virginians have access to the most advanced internet connectivity possible," Justice said. "This allocation of funding represents several major steps toward this goal. The projects I am announcing today solidify our commitment to developing broadband infrastructure throughout West Virginia."
Locally, LEAD funds are being awarded to Digital Connections, DBA Prodigi, for a Preston County to Barbour County project, and ta Tucker County-Parsons, Hambleton, Aurora project; and to Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone, Inc, for three separate projects serving locations in Franklin, Milam, Upper Tract, Brandywine and Sugar Grove, in Pendleton County.
The Pendleton County Commission, Barbour County Economic Development Authority, and Tucker County Economic Development Authority will contribute additional matching funds toward the projects awarded in their counties.
The Preston to Barbour Rural Expansion has been awarded $6,591,470 in LEAD Program Funds, with matching funds of $722,500.
The total project cost is $7,313,970, with 803 targeted addresses.
This project will serve locations in Tunnelton, Philippi, Moatsville, Belington, Albright, Kingwood, Thornton and Bruceton Mills. The project will include the installation of approximately 135 miles of fiber infrastructure to provide broadband service in the project area.
The Tucker County-Parsons, Hambleton, Aurora project will receive $7,906,924 in LEAD funds for the expansion of broadband connectivity to 644 targeted addresses in Preston and Tucker counties.
The Barbour County Economic Development Authority will provide an additional $50,000 in matching funds, totaling the overall match to $111,000.
This project will serve locations in Parsons, Hambleton, Aurora and Eglon. The project will include the installation of approximately 141 miles of fiber infrastructure to provide broadband service in the project area.
Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone, Inc. will receive $1,254,945 in LEAD funds for the expansion of broadband connectivity to 83 targeted addresses in Pendleton County. The Pendleton County Commission will provide an additional $22,000 in matching funds, totaling the overall match to $77,000.
This project will serve locations in Franklin and Milam. The project will include the installation of approximately 23 miles of fiber infrastructure to provide broadband service in the project area.
Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone, Inc. will also receive $1,277,412 in LEAD funds for the expansion of broadband connectivity to another 123 targeted addresses in Pendleton County. The Pendleton County Commission will provide an additional $32,400 in matching funds, totaling the overall match to $113,000.
This project will serve locations in Franklin and Upper Tract. The project will include the installation of approximately 30 miles of fiber infrastructure to provide broadband service in the project area.
Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone, Inc. also will receive $888,620 in LEAD funds for the expansion of broadband connectivity to another 114 targeted addresses in Pendleton County. The Pendleton County Commission will provide an additional $26,200 in matching funds, totaling the overall match to $91,700.
This project will serve locations in the communities of Brandywine, Sugar Grove, Milam and Franklin. The project will include the installation of approximately 19 miles of fiber infrastructure to provide broadband service in the project area.
Micrologic will receive $2,868,035 in MBPS funds for the expansion of broadband connectivity to 266 targeted addresses in Grant County. This project will serve locations in Maysville, New Creek, Cabins and Keyser.
Micrologic was selected by the Grant County Commission as a partner to fulfill the MBPS program requirements. The project will include the installation of approximately 55 miles of fiber infrastructure to provide broadband service in the project area.
The Grant County Commission has partnered with two internet-service-providers (ISPs) – Micrologic, Inc. and Shenandoah Cable Television, Inc. – to deploy fiber-to-the-premise infrastructure in rural areas of Grant County. The Grant County Commission will contribute more than $1.7 million to maximize funding for both projects.
Funding for the West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan, MBPS and LEAD programs, are provided through the West Virginia Legislature's allocation of $100 million to create the West Virginia Broadband Development Fund. The Fund includes $90 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and $10 million in state general revenue funds. Funds are also derived through the ARPA Capital Projects Fund, which includes $136 million for broadband development in West Virginia.
The West Virginia Department of Economic Development, Office of Broadband, will administer program funds.
Under the West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan, projects selected for award will receive a Preliminary Approval Announcement, which will be published on http://broadband.wv.gov.