The Wyoming County Economic Development Authority Receives $545,065 from Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER Initiative

The Huff Creek Broadband Fiber Deployment Project is part of a nearly $54 million award package, and will construct an estimated 10.5 miles of fiber to connect approximately 89 households and 7 businesses that are either unserved or underserved in coal-impacted communities in Wyoming County, WV.

Pineville, WV, October 19, 2023 — The Wyoming County Economic Development Authority has been awarded $545,065 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to construct an estimated 10.5 miles of fiber to connect approximately 89 households and 7 businesses that are either unserved or underserved in Wyoming County, WV. This award is part of a recently announced nearly $54 million package supporting 64 projects in 217 coal-impacted counties through ARC’s POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, which directs federal resources to economic diversification projects in Appalachian communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries. This is the largest single POWER awards package to date since the initiative launched in 2015.

Additional support for the Huff Creek Broadband Fiber Deployment Project is provided by the Internet Service Provider, Gigabeam Networks, LLC.

“From workforce training and agriculture, to downtown development and broadband expansion, the projects receiving grants in this round of POWER funding show that the future of Appalachia’s coal-impacted communities is economically diverse and innovative,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “Projects like these are resulting in life-changing transformations, which in turn, not only provides new economic opportunities, but brings a renewed sense of hope and purpose across our Appalachian Region.”

“Broadband Fiber Deployment is a key piece to infrastructure for homes, business, education, healthcare, and successful economic development,” said Wyoming County, WV, Economic Development Authority Director Christy Laxton.  “This project is providing infrastructure required to deliver our coal-impacted communities the opportunities they need for innovation and economic diversity.”

Including today’s award package, ARC has invested over $420 million in 507 projects impacting 365 coal-impacted counties since POWER was established in 2015. ARC’s investments have helped create or retain over 53,000 jobs and prepare over 142,000 workers and students for new opportunities in entrepreneurship, broadband, tourism, and other growing industries.

About the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)

The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development partnership entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia.