CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state is allocating more than $20.8 million for six new broadband infrastructure projects, Gov. Jim Justice announced Monday.
The funding is part of West Virginia’s Major Broadband Project Strategies program, an effort to allocate more than $1 billion in state and federal funds to improve broadband connectivity for 200,000 homes and businesses.
The companies leading the projects will also receive matching funds worth more than $13.2 million:
— Citynet LLC plans to use $2.2 million to expand broadband services to 376 addresses in Monongalia, Preston and Taylor counties. The effort will include installing around 86 miles of fiber infrastructure.
— Comcast Cable Communications LLC will receive $14.7 million for providing services to 1,402 places in Brooke, Hancock, Marshall and Ohio counties. The project involves installing 304 miles of fiber infrastructure.
— DQE Communications LLC will get around $1 million for installing 15 miles of fiber infrastructure to expand broadband services to 650 addresses in Harrison County.
— Shenandoah Cable Television LLC will expand broad services to 457 addresses in Lewis County, which will entail installing 27 miles of fiber infrastructure. The state is providing the company with more than $1.1 million.
— Frontier Communications Corp. will get $1.7 million for two projects; the efforts include installing 113 miles of infrastructure for services to 1,398 addresses in Mason County and installing 83 miles of fiber infrastructure for services to 1,566 addresses in Boone County.
“These projects are going to make a massive difference in the lives of so many West Virginians. They’re going to enable people to have incredible broadband access in areas of our state that have never had it before,” Justice said.
The Governor’s Office has dedicated $61.2 million for 16 broad infrastructure projects so far this year. According to state officials, it will result in 11,000 homes and businesses gaining broadband access.