Associated Press Published

W.Va. Broadband Council to Disband at End of Year

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West Virginia’s Broadband Deployment Council plans to disband at the end of year.

The council is charged with expanding high-speed Internet in the state. The Legislature denied the council’s request this year for another $5 million to provide grants for broadband projects.
 
Without more funding, the council’s chairman, Dan O’Hanlon, tells the Charleston Gazette that there’s nothing left to do except report on past grants.
 
The Legislature allocated $5 million when the council was created five years ago. The council has distributed about $3.7 million in grants.
 
The council also hired a consulting firm to review grant applications and create an online map of broadband service in West Virginia.
 
O’Hanlon says the council has about $800,000 in leftover funds. The money will be spent on project audits and reports.