Oct 21, 2023 By Mike Jones staff Writer mjones@observer-Reporter.Com 3 min read

Washington County is receiving a $2.5 million grant to help expand high-speed internet services to East Finley Township.

The Appalachia Regional Commission announced Thursday it was awarding $54 million in funding for 64 projects – including for the East Finley broadband expansion – through its “POWER” workforce and economic development initiative.

“Projects like these are resulting in life-changing transformations, which in turn, not only provide new economic opportunities, but bring a renewed sense of hope and purpose across our Appalachian Region,” said Gayle Manchin, who is the federal co-chair of ARC.

The county has been pushing for broadband expansion to unserved and underserved areas in rural regions since early last year. The county has mostly used money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and matches from service providers to fund many of the projects in approving about $60 million in broadband expansion contracts. The ARC grant is helping the county to expand even farther and blanket East Finley with high-speed internet, according to a map of the project.

“This funding will play a crucial role in bringing high-speed broadband access to East Finley Township, empowering our community with opportunities for education, innovation, and economic development,” Washington County Commission Chairwoman Diana Irey Vaughan said.

For places like East Finley where reliable internet is limited and, in many cases, non-existent, the expansion in the township will be a meaningful improvement, said Rick Newton, who is a community revitalization leader and founder of the Claysville-based Newton Institute.

“The broadband funding awarded to East Finley Township is a significant step towards addressing the connectivity challenges faced by our community,” he said. “It aligns perfectly with our ongoing efforts to revitalize the area and create a thriving environment for businesses and residents alike. Coupled with the progress started in West Finley Township, we are addressing two of the most underserved townships, not just in the McGuffey School District, but in the entire county.”

The ARC grant is designed to boost projects that promote workforce development and economic revitalization across the Appalachian region.

Greene County received a similar $2.5 million grant from ARC last year to help with broadband expansion in the southern and western areas of the county. County officials there held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week to announce the competition of the project.

Government and community leaders in Washington County said broadband projects can act as revitalization programs for rural areas. Reita Melvin, president of the Claysville Area Preservation and Revitalization Initiative, said the grant will give township residents more resources.

“Access to high-speed broadband is essential for the economic growth and development of our region,” Melvin said. “This funding will provide an invaluable resource for the residents and businesses of East Finley Township, enabling them to fully participate in the digital economy.”