Construction on CityNet’s Route Down 219 to Hillsboro Should Begin This Summer

At the January 9^th Pocahontas County Broadband Council meeting, it was revealed that CityNet’s main backbone fiber route running from the Randolph County line down Route 219 to Hillsboro is currently in the permitting and design stage, with actual construction to hopefully begin early this summer. This project is part of the 17.4-million-dollar West Virginia State’s Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD) Program which is designed to install broadband infrastructure central lines in the state. The LEAD Program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, Capital Projects Fund.

Brian Tew of the Thompson and Litton Company (T&L) reported that the ARC Project is stalled right now awaiting approval by the WV Broadband Council, probably because the project was submitted to them during the holidays. Tew says that actual construction of this broadband project it tentatively scheduled to begin this April.

Regarding the Spruce Know Seneca Rocks Telephone company (SKSR) LEAD project, Tew reported they are working on pole permitting with First Energy and Mon Power, as well as any Department of Highways permitting that is needed. He said the design is being completed for the project and SKSR is working to progress into construction. Marlinton Mayor Sam Felton asked if the Town of Durbin will be included in the SKSR LEAD project, and Mike Holstine said that is not in the plan. He suggested Durbin contact SKSR about that.

Sarah Riley asked about how other jurisdictions in West Virginia are faring with their broadband projects, and if there is anything we can learn from how those projects are being managed. Tew said that T&L has assisted with about two dozen smaller broadband projects across the state, and everyone had delays caused by the utility pole make ready issues like we did, so Pocahontas County is not much different from other areas as far as delays are concerned. Region 4’s Amanda Smarr said that compared to other projects she is familiar with, Pocahontas County is moving forward fairly well.

They talked about other funding opportunities:

• The USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant and the USDA Community Connect Grant programs are open for applications.
• Digital skills and device distribution programs under the WV Office of Broadband will be opening in the spring.

It was also pointed out that the first Pocahontas County Broadband Council meeting was held in January, 2021, making the council 4 years old as of this meeting.