Public-Private Work Brings Broadband to Morgantown, W.Va.
Just over four years after the Monongalia County Commission initiated efforts for county-wide broadband access, progress is visible as homes begin to get connected.
At a recent commission meeting, Commissioner Sean Sikora shared updates from a tour of areas served by a joint project with Frontier Communications.
"We were out in the Halleck Road area, the Gladestown Road area and the Grafton Road area, and they showed me where the connections came in and where they're hitting. So far, they already have 70 households that have signed up."
The project involves installing over 11 miles of fiber optic cable to serve approximately 80 unserved and underserved locations. The county commission funded $791,421, covering 83% of the $953,519 project cost.
Beyond these locations, the broadband expansion makes connectivity possible for an additional 170 locations within the region.
Overall, the commission has committed nearly $8 million toward broadband expansion from a total available budget of $20 million in federal funding, partnering with two Internet service providers to drive the initiative forward.
These efforts mark significant progress in improving high-speed Internet access in Monongalia County.
Author’s summary: A public-private partnership in Morgantown has effectively extended broadband to unserved households, supported by substantial county investment and strategic collaboration.