Tim Walker
AMR Reporter
It was revealed at the January 9 Pocahontas County Broadband Council meeting that the 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 West Virginia State’s Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD) Program which is designed to install broad- band infrastructure central lines throughout the state. The LEAD Program is funded out of the American Rescue Plan Act, Capital Projects Fund and administrated federally by the U.S. Treasury Department and locally by the West Virginia Economic Development Agency.
Brian Tew of 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 in April.
Regarding the Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone company (SKSR) LEAD project, Tew reported they are working on pole permitting with First Energy/Mon Power, as well as any DOH 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 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 Pocahontas County did, so this 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 four years old as of this meeting.
