The ARC "WV Distressed Community Telecommunications and Technology Initiative"
grant was a $1,589,950.00 - 3 year project to provide colocation equipment at 10
sites throughout West Virginia that were not served or are underserved in broadband access.
Sites were selected based on information provided by FiberNet of locations that
met this criteria. We narrowed the list to areas that FiberNet may have considered
as viable areas with adequate populations to support the effort in the future.
Sites selected were Pineville, Gauley Bridge, Kermit, Pennsboro, Whitesville,
Mullens, Matewan, Iaeger, Alloy and Delbarton. Some of these have gotten DSL
service since we applied, so other sites may need to be considered for a new
application. Each central office would be connected to FiberNet's network.
FiberNet would absorb the cost of central office leases or installation of fiber
necessary as an inkind contribution for the grant.
FiberNet also committed to
coordinating education seminars to explain broadbrand options to local businesses
or residents. Executrain was to provide training and consulting services to help
develop the technical and business skills for business throughout the selected
sites. Training would be provided in Ecommerce, Local leadership, Business and
Managerial, Technical and Telecommunications, Health and Telemedicine.
Determination of the type of training would be deterimined by the communities
themselves to meet their needs. The Corridor G Regional Authority was to be the
fiscal agent and the Alliance of WV Champion Communities was to manage the
project.
The grant requested $1,178,130 funds from ARC with inkind contributions of $404,820 provided by all the partners. There was not any community match required.
Recommendation for the project came from Rockefeller, Rahall and Byrd on the
Federal side and all 5 Economic Development authorities that had sites in their
regions.
We managed to get through all the hoops for this type of project, but couldn't
get past the Governor. He may be receptive now that he has moved on some
issues that his office wanted to accomplish. As we know, there are never any guarantees, but
we can't succeed without trying.
~ Marcel Fortin
