West Virginia development officials have been focusing on expanding broadband internet service through a range of resources, Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael told legislators.
“The higher percentage of connections we have, the more we will have. It’ll begin to expand and expand upon itself,” Carmichael said, describing momentum for availability and interest.
During interim legislative meetings at Marshall University on Sunday afternoon, Carmichael spoke to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, which includes lawmakers from both chambers and both parties.
He said American Rescue Plan Act funds have gone toward funding 24 projects in 38 West Virginia counties.
That accounts for more than 3,000 miles of infrastructure. “Three thousand miles of fiber,” he said. “That stuff is not cheap to put on poles.”
“We stood up all these programs within 18 months that had never existed. The Legislature had never put any money into broadband in the past,” Carmichael said.
Now, money is flowing from federal, state and local sources. “So we’re coordinating all of those funds,” he said.
Specifically, he described $33 million in state and local recovery funds, $70 million in capital project funds, $44 million in private investment. That adds up to $147 million in total investment.
Carmichael said state officials have focused on mapping to ensure there isn’t unnecessary redundancy.
“Our focus, as you have told us, is to go to those who do not have it,” he said. But, he added, “a byproduct is that you will create competition in some areas.”
Kelly Workman, director of the state Office of Broadband, followed up and agreed that “we are in full swing with our ARPA funding.”
She said three of the 24 total projects funded have already been completed within the past year. That accounts for 79 miles of fiber.
“We feel that we are providing something to residents of West Virginia that they have never had before,” Workman said. “When their friends and neighbors subscribe to this new service, that is going to continue to grow.”
She added, “We have an obligation to promote the benefits of broadbands to West Virginians who have never had this availability before.”
Workman described the current resources for broadband expansion as “just the tip of the iceberg.
“ARPA is just getting underway. The infrastructure act is coming next, which will be a factor times four, perhaps.”