CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a $18.7 million investment into high-speed broadband in Harrison, Doddridge, Lewis, Barbour and Upshur Counties.
West Virginia State Director Kris Warner says it will improve connectivity 6,300 households and up to 383 farms.
“This project is providing a critical communications investment in some truly rural areas of West Virginia,” Warner said. “Through USDA’s ReConnect program, these counties will get access to the latest broadband technology. This will have a positive economic impact for the farms, small businesses and families that live in these communities. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is committed to this strong partnership with rural communities in deploying this critical infrastructure, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
The investment will allow the Harrison Rural Electrification Association, Inc., to construct a fiber-to-the-premises network(FTTP) that will connect households, farms, five educational institutions and a critical community facility.
Warner adds there is also a $6.2 million private investment, bringing the total investment to almost $25 million.