The West Virginia Department of Economic Development (“Department”), in coordination with the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council and the State Broadband Office, will administer this GigReady2 Incentive Program (“Program”) to increase the availability of broadband services available to West Virginians. The Program is part of the West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan (WVBIP) and is designed to encourage the collaborative partnerships needed for successful broadband development. This program provides an opportunity for local governments and organizations to dedicate funds available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), or other local funding, to a broadband development initiative in partnership with the agencies and offices listed above.

GigReady2 Implementation Applicants must be a unit of local government that applied to the GigReady program, first announced by the Department in 2021, partnering with an ISP. The GigReady2 program will assist participants who have qualifying, shovel ready projects and which have a partnership agreement with a private Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The Pre-Application deadline was June 7, 2023, at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. The full application deadline will be August 17, at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.