Preston County will receive nearly $8.5 million for broadband

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Preston County will receive nearly $8.5 million from the Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD) program for broadband expansion.

It’s one of the first grants as part of the $1 billion West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan (WVBIP).

The money is part of a total of $17.4 million in grants announced Wednesday that will leverage about $5.1 million that will make the total investment more than $22.5 million.

For a total cost of $10,107,558 to install about 150 miles of fiber in west and north central Preston County to more than 2,600 addresses.

Another $1.3 million will expand the Citynet-Green Valley Line extension in Harrison County. the project includes 26 miles of fiber and will connect 265 addresses.

Grants were also awarded in Brooke, Hancock, Ohio, Cabell, Morgan, Putnam and Hardy Counties.