MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As Monongalia County residents continue to rely on local broadband services to accomplish tasks amid the coronavirus pandemic, the county commission is exploring ways to increase access.
Commissioners have issued a request for proposal related to expanding broadband, which has been stressed as students and residents have conducted work from home.
The commission previously participated in an analysis of issues affecting access, which includes elevation differences.
“We didn’t need a one size fits all solution,” President Sean Sikora said. “We need solutions for individual parts of the county, individual neighborhoods to take a comprehensive look at what our inventory is across the county.”
Sikora explained the plan will provide an analysis of needs as well as methods for increasing internet accessibility. The plan could also be used by local bodies when applying for broadband-related grants.
“I think on the back end exponentially it will save a lot of time and money,” he said. “We’ll have a plan for all these opportunities that are out there.”
The commission hopes to have responses by mid-March and someone working on the project by early summer.