Broadband Infrastructure Projects Receive New Funding

More than $18 million for various broadband infrastructure projects throughout the state have received preliminary approval, Gov. Jim Justice announced Wednesday.

The state’s total investment of $18,675,465 will leverage an additional $19,155,920 from other funding sources, for a total broadband infrastructure investment of $37,831,385.

This announcement includes applications received under the Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD), Major Broadband Project Strategies (MBPS), and Wireless Internet Networks (WIN).

It marks the first preliminary award made for the WIN program which covers state parks and forests by expanding wireless technology. Under the WIN program, funding will allow upgrades to the three towers with 5G and mid-band wireless technology to bring high-speed reliable connectivity to Coopers Rock State Forest, Watoga State Park, and the surrounding areas, significantly increasing public safety and elements of tourism.

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. Internet Service Providers other than the applicant will receive an opportunity to submit data to the West Virginia Department of Economic Development demonstrating that the ISP currently offers broadband service at 25/3 Mbps or greater to addresses within the Proposed Project Funded Service Area. Data submitted must meet all the requirements described in the Process for Soliciting Information Regarding Unserved Areas, which the Department published on July 12, 2021. 

“I am committed to ensuring that all West Virginians, and all who visit our great state 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 continue to solidify our commitment to developing broadband infrastructure throughout West Virginia.”

The LEAD, MBPS, and WIN projects will provide broadband connectivity to more than 8,250 targeted locations in West Virginia. These investments will result in more than 700 miles of new fiber infrastructure. In total, these projects provide funding for the purpose of providing broadband connectivity to 21,126 homes and businesses, many of which currently do not have internet services.

Additionally, the most recent update to the Federal Communications Commission broadband map expands eligibility to 271,000 unserved locations in West Virginia, making an additional 80,700 locations eligible for broadband funding. 

This funding will be allocated to states under the Infrastructure and Jobs Investment Act (IIJA) Broadband Access Equity and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The allocation formula is based upon the number of unserved locations by state, and other demographic factors.

The additional locations were identified through several methods developed and used by the West Virginia Office of Broadband. Individual West Virginians were provided tools to report their broadband availability and location information to the FCC. Additionally, the Office of Broadband proactively consulted with broadband carriers and cellular companies to refine location and technology data. 

Finally, the Office of Broadband conducted onsite field inspections in targeted areas. This effort by the Justice Administration’s Office of Broadband will result in millions of additional federal dollars for the expansion of broadband in West Virginia.

In late 2021, the Billion-Dollar Broadband Strategy was released, representing the largest investment in broadband in the state’s history, with a proposed investment of over $1 billion. This plan combines funding from federal, state, and local governments, along with matching investments from private-sector partners. 

The National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) is expected to release state funding allocations before July 2023.

Broadband projects receiving MBPS, LEAD, and WIN program funds listed below:  

Hardy Cellular Telephone Company (DBA USCellular): 

Coopers Rock State Forest 

WIN Program Funds: $679,950  

Matching Funds: $226,650  

Total Project Cost: $906,600 

Total Towers Upgraded: 3  

Targeted Addresses: 1,327 

State Parks Covered: Coopers Rock State Forest

Project Summary: USCellular will receive $679,950 in WIN funds to upgrade three existing towers outside of the Coopers Rock State Forest boundary. This funding will allow USCellular to upgrade the three towers with 5G and mid-band wireless technology to bring high-speed reliable connectivity to the state forest and 1,327 targeted locations in the surrounding area. 

Hardy Cellular Telephone Company (DBA USCellular): 

Watoga State Park Planning Grant 

WIN Program Funds: $250,000

Project Summary: USCellular will receive $250,000 in planning grant funds to strategically plan for a wireless implementation project to bring high-speed reliable connectivity to Watoga State Park. With the planning grant, USCellular will be exploring wireless solutions with state and federal officials to address connectivity gaps for areas in and around Watoga State Park. The project will focus on enhancing mobile coverage within Watoga State Park to improve public safety and tourism, through Fixed Wireless Access at key park facilities.  

Digital Connections (DBA Prodigi): East Monongalia and East Preston Rural Broadband 

LEAD Program Funds: $4,362,723 

Matching Funds: $661,500  

Total Project Cost: $5,024,223  

Estimated Fiber Mileage: 103  

Targeted Addresses: 799

Project Summary: Prodigi will receive $4,362,723 in LEAD funds for the expansion of broadband connectivity to 799 targeted addresses in the counties Preston and Monongalia. This project will serve locations in the communities of Albright, Aurora, Bruceton Mills, Masontown, Reedsville, Terra Alta, and rural areas of east Monongalia County. The project will include the installation of approximately 103 miles of fiber infrastructure to provide broadband service in the project area.  

Frontier, West Virginia: Ripley (Jackson County) Broadband 

MBPS Program Funds: $5,710,010 
Matching Funds: $10,594,988  

Total Project Cost: $16,304,998  

Estimated Fiber Mileage: 249  

Targeted Addresses: 1,967

Project Summary: Frontier will receive $5,710,010 in MBPS funds for the expansion of broadband connectivity to 1,967 targeted addresses in the greater Ripley area of Jackson County. This project will serve locations in the communities of Ripley, Kenna, Given, Gandeeville, Gay, Evans, and Kentuck. The project will include the installation of approximately 249 miles of fiber infrastructure to provide broadband service in the project area. 

Frontier, West Virginia: Ravenswood (Jackson County) Broadband 

MBPS Program Funds: $7,672,782

Matching Funds: $7,672,782  

Total Project Cost: $15,345,564  

Estimated Fiber Mileage: 381  

Targeted Addresses: 4,165

Project Summary: Frontier will receive $7,672,782 in MBPS funds for the expansion of broadband connectivity to 4,165 targeted addresses in the greater Ravenswood area of Jackson County. This project will serve locations in the communities of Ravenswood, Cottageville, Sandyville, Evans, Ripley, Millwood, Mount Alto, Peewee, Somerville Fork, Le Roy, Amigo, Elizabeth, and Lundale. The project will include the installation of approximately 381 miles of fiber infrastructure to provide broadband service in the project area.