West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan

LATEST Updates

Benefit of the Bargain Round Target Locations, Areas, and Regions

July 10, 2025 (updated 4:30 p.m.)

Charleston, W.Va. — Today, West Virginia Department of Commerce Division of Economic Development, Office of Broadband (WVDED), has released updated Target Regions, Target Areas, and Broadband Serviceable Location (BSL) lists in support of the Benefit of the Bargain Round of the West Virginia Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

The updated materials reflect recent guidance from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and incorporate the latest available data on broadband coverage in the state. These updates follow the NTIA’s June 6, 2025 Restructuring Policy Notice, which directs states to complete a final round of application review prioritizing low-cost, technology-neutral broadband deployment strategies.

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West Virginia to Open BEAD Benefit of the Bargain Round July 10, 2025

July 8, 2025

Charleston, W.Va. — Today, Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that the West Virginia Department of Commerce, Division of Economic Development, Office of Broadband (WVDED) is publishing updated Program Procedures for the West Virginia Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding program.  

“Our office continues to complete the requirements to submit our final BEAD proposal,” said Governor Morrisey. “Today’s announcement is the next step toward securing this critical funding and getting West Virginia connected.” 

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, released June 6, 2025, created a new 90-day deadline for all states to submit their BEAD Final Proposals. The Notice revised several elements of the BEAD Program, including the requirement of an additional “Benefit of the Bargain Round” prioritizing low-cost projects and a technology-neutral approach for meeting service standards. 

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Notice: Opportunity for Broadband Service Providers to Evidence BEAD Classification Changes

_{June 19, 2025}

Charleston, W.Va. In accordance with NTIA’s June 2025 BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, Office of Broadband (collectively WVDED), is providing the opportunity for broadband service providers using specific technologies operating in the state to claim and evidence a reclassification of broadband serviceable locations (BSLs) from eligible for BEAD Program funding to ineligible. This opportunity is only for providers of HFC, fiber-to-the-premises, licensed terrestrial fixed wireless, or licensed by-rule terrestrial fixed wireless service. Providers of unlicensed terrestrial fixed wireless had the opportunity to respond to a prior notice.

Providers can only submit claims and evidence for locations served by their own networks, and only for service availability to locations as of December 31, 2024, that the provider has previously submitted to the Federal Communications Commission. Responses must be received by the end of day June 25, 2025. All emails, including questions, should be directed to luke.n.peters@wv.gov.

The Notice can be found here: WVDED-BEAD-Served-Location-Evidence-Request-Notice.

Governor Patrick Morrisey Awards Broadband Project Funding in 10 Counties

June 19, 2025

Charleston, W.Va. – Today, Governor Patrick Morrisey announced funding for broadband infrastructure deployment projects in 10 counties in West Virginia. Partnering with five different Internet Service Providers, this announcement will facilitate the expansion of fiber-to-the-home broadband infrastructure. With the installation of approximately 362 miles of fiber infrastructure, 2,897 locations will gain access to high-speed reliable broadband in Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant, Jackson, Lewis, Mason, Pendleton, Preston, and Putnam counties.

“Expanding broadband access is essential to the future of West Virginia, and these projects represent a major step forward in connecting communities across the state,” said Governor Morrisey.

Below is a list of each award announced by Governor Morrisey:

• $2,779,895 to Citynet: Calhoun County, Doddridge County, Gilmer County, Lewis County
• $7,744,946 to Comcast: Jackson County, Mason County, Putnam County
• $10,333,384 to Digital Connections, Inc. dba Prodigi: Preston County
• $9,920,660 to Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone: Pendleton County
• $3,822,632 to Micrologic: Grant County

These projects are funded through the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARPA-SLFRF), and Capital Projects Fund (ARPA-CPF) through West Virginia’s Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD) program.  Eligible locations were determined by the 2024 BEAD challenge process and made available for funding as part of the Application Extension Round.

All awards will be made available to view in the West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan Dashboard.

_{Governor Patrick Morrisey Announces West Virginia’s Next Steps for BEAD}

_{June 13, 2025}

Charleston, W.Va. – Today, Governor Patrick Morrisey announced the timeline and next steps for West Virginia’s final Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) proposal submission to the federal government. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration indicated they would be adjusting the requirements for the BEAD program. West Virginia has moved quickly to begin the process of finalizing its proposal to ensure timely and successful receipt of the funds.

The timeline for West Virginia’s final BEAD submission is as follows …

_{Now Available: BEAD Deployment Subgrant Agreement}

_{January 21, 2025}

In accordance with the United States Department of Commerce and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Final Proposal Guidance for Eligible Entities, prior to provisionally selecting subgrantees, …

_{Three Digital Equity Grants set to launch in Spring 2025}

The West Virginia Department of Economic Development, Office of Broadband (WVDED) is preparing to launch three Digital Equity Grant Programs…

_{Broadband Workforce Development opportunities abound in West Virginia}

At the West Virginia Office of Broadband – a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development (WVDED)- we’re committed to ensuring the Mountain State has all of the infrastructure in place to provide every resident with access to reliable, affordable and high-speed broadband…

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