Speaking during a virtual roundtable session organized by the West Virginia Press Association, Carmichael said the plan will not improve or expand internet access in areas that already have it.
“This money can only be utilized to serve those who do not have broadband service,” he said. “We are absolutely going to those who are currently unserved, as defined by the FCC, which is 25 down, three up megabit speeds.”
State officials did not use the FCC’s infamously inaccurate broadband access maps to determine which areas do and do not have currently have broadband access, Carmichael said.
“We know exactly in this state who has broadband and who does not,” he said. “We didn’t take the FCC’s word for it. We’re mapping it correctly and with the input of citizens throughout West Virginia who are taking the speed tests.”
The initiative, which was called “Big Jim’s Broadband Plan for Prosperity” when it was first announced last October, aims to bring broadband availability to 200,000 more West Virginia homes and businesses.
The plan will combine funding from federal, state and local governments — along with matching investments from private-sector partners — to accelerate the expansion of high-speed internet to underserved areas of the state, according to information released by Gov. Jim Justice’s office.
The strategy will add a $236 million state broadband program to $362 million in Federal Communications Commission funding and $120 million from other state and federal sources, for a total of $718 million in government funding expected to be allocated by Fall 2022.
The funds will be allocated through competitive programs that draw matching funds from private-sector and local government partners, generating more than $1 billion in total broadband investment.
The state plans to conduct post-award audits to ensure funds are spent properly, Carmichael said.
“The governor has been very firm in saying that we’re not just going to provide this money and then hope that people get internet,” he said. “We’re going back and doing audits, random audits and speed test data on those who received broadband.”
The state Broadband Office projects the first homes and businesses to be connected in the state-based program will gain broadband access by the end of the year.
Aspects of the strategy will start “immediately” Carmichael said.
“You’ll start to see an immediate impact with some of the programs that are in place. There is various programs that are incorporated into this entire aggregate of $1 billion,” he said. “That’s our goal, to have plenty of new connections before the end of the year. But over a period of time, two years maximum on some of these program and on some of the federal programs up to five years. So it takes some time, but the effort is ongoing, it’s immediate, it’s concentrated and it’s focused.”
Justice summed up the program Wednesday by saying its goals are “super simple.”
“Where we are today is a mess, unbelievable. That’s all there is to it, just a flat mess. Any way you cut it, a mess,” he said. “We’ve put real money into it and we’re going to make it from a mess to much, much, much better.”
Senior Staff Writer Charles Young can be reached at 304-626-1447 or cyoung@theet.com
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