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USDA announces $30.4 million investment to increase access to high-speed internet in rural West Virginia

Investment will benefit more than 6,500 West Virginians

West Virginia Press Association

SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development West Virginia State Director Ryan Thorn has announced $30.4 million of investments to help expand high-speed internet in Hampshire, Nicholas, and Hardy counties.

“Good, reliable high speed internet access is an absolute necessity for every citizen in today’s world, not a luxury,” said Thorn. “Connectivity opens the world’s marketplace to rural business owners through e-commerce, helps farmers increase production and reduce costs using advanced technology, and brings new opportunities to people in rural West Virginia through online learning, telemedicine, remote jobs or simply streaming a movie with your family.”

In total, Rural Development is investing $30,393,659 today through the ReConnect Program to the following projects:

  • In Hardy and Hampshire counties, Hardy Telecommunications is receiving a $5,523,659 grant to provide high-speed internet that will benefit 1,428 people, 56 businesses and 21 farms in Hampshire and Hardy counties. This project will serve socially vulnerable communities in Hampshire County.
  • In Nicholas County, the Nicholas County Commission is receiving $24,870,000 ($12,435,000 grant and $12,435,000 loan) to provide high-speed internet that will benefit 6,110 people, 129 businesses, 118 farms and eight educational facilities in Nicholas County.

“This project has such a great level of impact that will completely transform the rural areas of Nicholas County that so desperately deserve a better seat at the table for internet connectivity,” said Nicholas County Commissioner Garrett Cole. “We are so humbled and thankful for this investment in our great county, and the opportunities that it will create in education, employment, and in boosting our recreation economy.”

The ReConnect Program is uniquely designed to fund the most difficult high-speed internet projects in the nation, which are in the most rural, remote and unserved communities.

“Hardy Telecommunications is excited to accept this USDA ReConnect program award and is anxious to put it to work providing high quality broadband services to residents in Hardy and Hampshire counties,” said General Manager and CEO of Hardy Telecommunications Scott Sherman. “We are appreciative of the USDA and our federal congressional members for making this happen and for the opportunity to make a difference in the quality of life in the areas impacted by this grant.”

Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department has invested more than $4 billion for 345 ReConnect projects that will bring high-speed internet access to more than 600,000 people in the most rural and remote areas of America.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and healthcare; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. For more information on Rural Development programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wv.

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Feature image: Officials with USDA Rural Development, Nicholas County Commission, Hardy Telecommunications and Region IV Planning and Development Council at a USDA funding announcement event in Summersville, WV. USDA Rural Development announced a $30.4 million investment to increase access to high-speed internet in Nicholas, Hardy, and Hampshire counties.

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