After many years of work, GCEDA efforts to expand broadband in Gilmer County have been rewarded. Governor Jim Justice announced preliminary approval of the Roane County EDA Multi-County Broadband Project (which includes Gilmer County) on September 16, 2022. The Governor's announcement is below. Learn more about the project by reading the Project Summary.
Broadband projects receiving funds:
Raleigh County Commission:
Ghent Fiber Deployment Project
GigReady Program Funds: $5,889,198
Matching Funds: $1,963,066
Total Project Cost $7,852,264
Estimated Fiber Mileage: 106
Targeted Addresses: 1,677
Public-Private Partner – Gigabeam Networks, Inc.
Summers County Commission:
Summers County Fiber-Mountview to Bellepoint
GigReady Program Funds: $3,703,147
Matching Funds: $1,234,382
Total Project Cost: $4,937,529
Estimated Fiber Mileage: 65
Targeted Addresses: 1,036
Public-Private Partner – Gigabeam Networks, Inc.
Monroe County Commission:
Seneca Trail & Green Valley Road Fiber Project
GigReady Program Funds: $1,797,904
Matching Funds: $599,301
Total Project Cost: $2,397,205
Estimated Fiber Mileage: 30
Targeted Addresses: 633
Public-Private Partner – Gigabeam Networks, Inc.
Greenbrier County Commission: Greenbrier Broadband Expansion Project
GigReady Program Funds: $12,940,988
Matching Funds: $4,313,663
Total Project Cost: $17,254,651
Estimated Fiber Mileage: 177
Targeted Addresses: 5,316
Public-Private Partner – Citynet, LLC
Roane County Economic Development Authority:
Multi-County Broadband Project (Calhoun, Clay, Braxton, Gilmer, Jackson, Roane, Webster)
GigReady Program Funds: $17,057,869
Matching Funds: $5,685,956
Total Project Cost: $22,743,825
Estimated Fiber Mileage: 287
Targeted Addresses: 4,878
Public-Private Partner – Citynet, LLC
Micrologic:
Randolph County Fiber Deployment
MBPS Program Funds: $13,977,410
Matching Funds: $2,979,000
Total Project Cost: $16,956,410
Estimated Fiber Mileage: 282
Targeted Addresses: 3,991
Under the West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan, projects selected for award will receive a Preliminary Approval Announcement, which will be published on 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.
CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice today announced the preliminary approval of more than $55.3 million in GigReady and Major Broadband Project Strategies Program (MBPS) funds to broadband infrastructure projects throughout the state. This announcement includes applications received under Gov. Justice’s West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan and the first announcement for preliminary approvals made under the GigReady Program.
The MBPS and GigReady programs are part of Gov. Justice’s Billion-Dollar Broadband Strategy – a plan to invest over $1 billion in state and federal funds to make broadband connectivity available for the first time to 200,000 West Virginia homes and businesses.
Projects announced through this application cycle will provide broadband connectivity to more than 17,500 targeted locations in West Virginia. The investment will result in more than 940 miles of new fiber infrastructure. This allocation of state funding will leverage $16,775,368 in additional funds for a total broadband infrastructure investment of $72,141,883.
"Our goal of getting more and more West Virginians high-speed internet access continues, and this latest announcement should get people in Greenbrier, Monroe, Raleigh, Randolph, Roane, and Summers counties very, very excited," Gov. Justice said. "We have to continue to expand access to reliable broadband. That’s the goal of my Billion-Dollar Broadband Strategy."
"This round of improvements will help people who need high-speed internet to work remotely, allow students to do their homework, give our seniors access to the telehealth options they need, and businesses the ability to compete on the world stage. The possibilities go on and on, and West Virginians everywhere deserve the best access possible. I thank all the people who are turning this vision into a reality."
Applicants under GigReady may participate either in the technical assistance phase where the program helps communities scope projects and complete other necessary steps in the development process or by requesting implementation funding for more fully developed infrastructure projects. This GigReady program announcement includes five projects that are ready for implementation funding to install high-speed broadband infrastructure.
Funding for the West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan, MBPS Program, is provided through Gov. Justice’s request, and the West Virginia Legislature’s approval, 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. 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.
This marks the fifth time this year that Gov. Justice has announced a round of major broadband projects through his Billion-Dollar Broadband Strategy. Today’s round of GigReady and MBPS projects joins four previous rounds of MBPS and Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD) projects.
Jeff Campbell, President of Gilmer County EDA and Shane Whitehair of Region VII Planning and Development Council accept the $50,000 grant award from Governor Justice's Chief of Staff Mike Hall.
Broadband in rural West Virginia is no longer a luxury item, but a modern day necessity. Communities lack access to fast, reliable and affordable internet services. The COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted that inequity. Access to quality internet services allow for economic growth and sustainability, increased property values, expanded educational and health care opportunities, and potential population growth. Gilmer County citizens now expect and deserve access to quality internet services. The partnership that the Gilmer County Commission and the Gilmer County Economic Development Association entered may have reached a monumental stage in our pursuit.
The seven county Roane EDA Broadband Expansion Project, located in Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Jackson, Roane, and Webster County, West Virginia, will provide approximately 287.4 miles of aerial fiber along the project route. The proposed primary project route and fiber mileage through each county is as follows:
The proposed last mile laterals and fiber mileage are as follows:
This proposed infrastructure will also allow for expansion for future projects to be serviced via the noted route. The main project will be at no cost to each county as the Roane EDA has taken the lead on this project. Each county involved in the project area has had a last mile study completed by Thompson and Litton. Many counties in the project area have submitted an additional application that expands from the main application. Those match commitments are:
· Braxton County Commission: 1 million match toward a 4 million dollar project
· Jackson County Commission: 1 million match toward a 4 million dollar project
· Calhoun County Commission: $500,000 match toward a 2 million dollar project
· Clay County Commission: $275,000 million match toward a 1.1million dollar project
· Roane County Commission: $600,000 match toward a 2.4 million dollar project
· Gilmer County Commission: $750,000 match toward a 3 million dollar project
Applications were submitted for these projects on January 31st. The main project was applied for as full implementation meaning it will be reviewed for funding awards as soon as March. The applications that each county submitted were completed as technical assistance to allow each Commission adequate time to review route selections with Thompson and Litton. Those applications were prepared for TA submission by the Roane EDA and Thompson & Litton and must be completed by June.
Time Line of the GCEDA & Gilmer County Commission’s Pursuit of Broadband:
Our first grant award started with the GCEDA applying in 2017 on behalf of Gilmer County Commission for $50K Planning Grant for Engineering Design Work for broadband implementation and expansion to underserved areas of Gilmer County. That grant provided the engineering work necessary for any current grant applications. *GC lacking an Engineering Report was our County's biggest obstacle from applying for any federal funds for broadband grants in the past.
Awarded Grant 2/1/18 on behalf GCEDA & Gilmer County Commission. Hired Thompson & Litton to begin necessary engineering work to determine and develop the best plan for broadband expansion in GC utilizing existing fiber backbone.
2019- We were working to make application for a USDA Grant with the help of Thompson & Litton (Engineering Company we hired to utilize the awarded planning grant) within two weeks of grant deadline the company we selected to build and operate pulled out of the deal.
In 2020 -The GCEDA moved in to collaboration with a working group of multiple counties in which Roane County EDA became the lead on the project. We the EDA appeared before the Gilmer County Commission to share the benefits of, and the power of joining and applying with multiple counties as opposed to applying alone and competing with them for the same grants. Then as we moved forward appeared again before the Gilmer County Commission to urge them to consider taking an Action and pass a Resolution for Gilmer County to join the Roane - EDA multi-county group to work towards broadband expansion through grant applications with Roane County EDA taking the lead.
2020-2021- GCEDA attended many planning meetings with the 7 county group to move forward to be prepared for next rounds of Broadband grant opportunities.
1/18/2022- Working Session with Gilmer County Commission, City of Glenville & City of Sand Fork Mayors with Melissa O'Brien from Thompson & Litton and President of GCEDA providing overview of engineering plans and options stressing to the commission and mayors that this opportunity of only having to provide a 25% match is the best opportunity we will ever have and we should consider leveraging every bit of ARP (American Recovery Plan) funds that are remaining or will be distributed in May 2022. At that working meeting we had been working with a prior commitment from GCC for $500k, zero from either of two municipalities at the time of our meeting. However, there is a chance that City of Glenville may contribute after their 2/7/2022 council meeting.
1/21/2022- Gilmer County Commission Meeting: The Resolution for Gilmer County to pledge $x amount of funding was on the agenda. Melissa O'Brien (Thompson & Litton) representing Mark Whitley, Executive Director of Roane EDA and Jeff Campbell, representing GCEDA. Together, they worked to provide a review of the project and stressed the importance that Gilmer County Commission allocates as much of the ARP funds available. We were urged to consider the importance of our investment. The commission went in to Executive Session and then pledged $750,000.00.
GigReady time frame:
Gilmer County will receive through the Roane EDA multi county broadband project, 33.9 miles of middle mile backbone fiber. The areas covered are:
Last mile laterals will cover another 14.4 miles. Those are include:
Projects the county may pursue as an additional application, pledging a 25% match of their funds, are mainly concentrated in the southeast portion of the county.
Email: gilmereda@gmail.com
