Recently, the Washington County commissioners approved spending $3.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act or (ARPA) funds to extend broadband service to 944 homes, businesses, and other locations in Bentleyville and West Finley Township, which currently has no internet service. The total project cost is $5.3 million, but Windstream will be providing $2.1 million in aid for design, engineering, and construction costs.
Kinetic by Windstream, of Little Rock, Arkansas, is a subsidiary of internet service provider Windstream Holdings, Inc. They will administer the broadband project, bringing 1-gigabyte service to 542 locations in West Finley and 402 locations in Bentleyville. This service exceeds the federal minimum speed of 100 megabits per second and will take about two years to complete.
West Finley is one of nine communities in the McGuffey school district. Broadband internet service will bring opportunities for students to enhance their education and will allow residents in the area to be better connected with community resources and job opportunities.
CCJ is glad that the county is finally upgrading internet access for its residents and will continue watching for updates to this program. For more information or to get involved in this work, please contact our Field Program Coordinator Paul at 724-229-3550 Ext. 8 or paul@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.
