The project will bring broadband to 2,175 unserved and underserved homes and businesses in all areas of Monongalia County.
It's the result of a public/private partnership announced in June between the county and Comcast through which the commission will provide $5.98 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars and the Internet service provider will pick up the remaining $11,840,000 in an effort to bring large swaths of the county online.
"Comcast had conducted a complete walkout of the project area over 178 miles. Measurements and other data obtained during the walkout have been provided to our design engineers who have commenced their review, analysis and design," Gossert explained, noting the analysis will determine where aerial and underground infrastructure is most appropriate.
As design nears completion, Gossert said Comcast will begin seeking permits, including right of way, municipal street opening, railroad, easement and pole attachment license permits as required.
While the aim of the broadband project is to get as many residents up to speed as possible over the next two years, it's not going to get everyone.
To that end, the commission has issued a request for proposals for a second, smaller project looking to fill in the gaps, or, as Commission President Sean Sikora described them, the donut holes.
"We recognize and we hear from our citizens about all the little donut holes out there in the community, and we can see those holes and we know that some of the areas aren't big enough to really justify an ISP coming in and wanting to focus on those areas, " Sikora said. "Most of the ISPs are focusing on the big areas, where they can get the most bang for the buck. As a business, I don't deny that. This program was meant to find those holes."
The commission is putting up $1.25 million in ARPA funds for the effort.
Because ARPA dollars must be obligated by the end of the year, the commission is asking for RFP responses by Nov. 13 and intends to award the project on Dec. 11.
The county's broadband effort stretches back to May 2021, when the commission hired Ohio-based Ice Miller for $250,657 to put together a comprehensive countywide broadband plan.
Throughout the planning process, the county put up an additional $380,000, approximately, split between Ice Miller and broadband consultant LIT Communities.
"It was our commitment when we got our ARPA dollars to commit half of it to broadband connectivity and the other half to economic development; and broadband is economic development," Sikora said. "We have done that. Once we get responses in and proposals to approve, we will have allocated the last of these dollars and we will be taking a huge step toward our goal."
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