BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced $25 million in funding to expand high-speed internet access in rural West Virginia.
This funding is made available through the Broadband Technical Assistance Program to help local organizations, cooperatives and Tribes expand internet access through rural communities.
Funding may be used for projects including feasibility studies, network designs, hiring efforts, application development assistance and more, officials said.
“In today’s world, having access to fast and reliable internet service is not a luxury but a necessity,” said Thorn. “Whether it’s commerce, education, or healthcare, having high-speed internet is a catalyst for new opportunities in our rural communities. By partnering with local organizations to increase access and deploy this critical resource, we’re helping to close the digital divide for individuals regardless of where they live in the Mountain State.”
Today’s announcement marks the second round of funding for the program. In its first round, the program received 96 applications requesting a total of $44.5 million. In West Virginia, Generation West Virginia was awarded a $610,116 grant to support high-speed internet services in rural areas of southern West Virginia.
In this second round, applicants must apply through one of two categories. Those applying as technical assistance providers will be eligible for $100,000 to $1 million in funding, and those applying as technical assistance recipients may be eligible for $50,000 to $500,000.
The department began accepting applications today, June 21. Applications must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov by August 20th.
For more information about rural development in West Virginia, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wv.
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