Broadband Grants HelpingExpand Fiber in West Virginia
Expanding Fiber Across West Virginia
Access to fast, reliable internet is more important than ever. For many communities across West Virginia, that access has not always been available.
Through a combination of federal and state broadband programs, significant investments are being made to close the digital divide and bring high-speed connectivity to underserved and rural areas.
Citynet is actively leveraging programs such as BEAD, USDA ReConnect, and ARPA-funded initiatives to expand our 100% fiber network across West Virginia. By combining these funding opportunities with our own private investment, we are building future-ready infrastructure designed to serve homes, businesses, schools, and healthcare providers for decades to come.
What Are BEAD Grants?
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is the largest federal investment in high-speed internet infrastructure in U.S. history. Funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, BEAD is designed to close the digital divide by bringing reliable, high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved communities, especially in rural areas.
BEAD funding is distributed to each state, which then awards grants to broadband providers to build networks in areas that lack access to modern internet speeds.
Key goals of the BEAD program:
- Expand access to reliable, high-speed broadband
- Prioritize rural and hard-to-reach communities
- Support fiber-optic and other future-ready technologies
- Promote affordability and digital inclusion
- Strengthen economic development, education, healthcare, and public safety
In many areas, BEAD funding enables the construction of fiber infrastructure where private investment alone would not be feasible. Programs like BEAD help providers like Citynet expand fiber broadband into communities that have long been overlooked or underserved.
What Is the USDA ReConnect Program?
The USDA ReConnect Program is another major federal initiative focused on expanding broadband access in rural America. Managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ReConnect provides grants and low-interest loans to support the deployment of high-speed internet in communities that have historically lacked adequate service.
This program targets areas where access to reliable broadband is limited or nonexistent, helping ensure that rural residents and businesses can fully participate in today’s digital world.
Key goals of the ReConnect program:
- Deliver high-speed internet to rural homes, farms, schools, and businesses
- Support economic growth and workforce opportunities in rural communities
- Improve access to telehealth, remote education, and public services
- Encourage long-term, sustainable broadband infrastructure
Like BEAD, ReConnect funding helps make fiber expansion possible in areas that would otherwise be difficult to serve. Citynet has used programs like ReConnect to help bring high-speed fiber broadband to communities across West Virginia.
ARPA-Funded Broadband Programs
In addition to programs like BEAD and USDA ReConnect, West Virginia has also leveraged funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to accelerate fiber expansion across the state.
Three key programs helping drive this effort are MBPS, GigReady, and LEAD.
MBPS Program
The MBPS (Major Broadband Project Strategies) program focuses on expanding broadband access to underserved areas across West Virginia by supporting infrastructure projects that bring reliable, high-speed internet to more locations.
This program helps:
- Extend fiber networks into rural and hard-to-reach communities
- Improve access where speeds were previously limited or unavailable
- Support long-term connectivity through scalable infrastructure
GigReady Initiative
The GigReady initiative is designed to prepare communities for gigabit-speed internet by investing in fiber infrastructure that can support today’s needs — and tomorrow’s growth.
Through GigReady, communities benefit from:
- Future-ready fiber networks capable of gigabit speeds and beyond
- Increased opportunities for economic development and business growth
- Improved access to telehealth, remote work, and online education
LEAD Program
The LEAD (Line Extension Advancement and Development) program helps extend broadband infrastructure to locations that may fall outside of primary grant-funded build areas.
This program supports:
- Connecting homes and businesses near existing fiber routes
- Expanding service to additional eligible locations
- Maximizing the reach and impact of broadband infrastructure investments
How Citynet Is Expanding Fiber Across West Virginia
Programs like BEAD, USDA ReConnect, and ARPA-funded initiatives are helping make it possible to bring reliable, high-speed fiber broadband to communities that have gone too long without modern internet access.
As these projects move forward, more homes and businesses across West Virginia are gaining access to the connectivity they need to work, learn, and stay connected every day.
This expansion supports:
- Remote work and online education
- Telehealth and digital services
- Local business growth and economic development
- Reliable connectivity for everyday life
Citynet remains committed to building a stronger, more connected West Virginia; delivering fiber infrastructure designed to support communities today and into the future.
Citynet Fiber Expansion Map
Citynet is actively expanding our 100% fiber network across West Virginia, bringing fast, reliable internet to more communities each year. Using a combination of private investment and broadband grant programs, we are building future-ready infrastructure designed to serve homes and businesses for decades.
Explore the map below to see where Citynet Fiber is currently available and where we are expanding next.
Service availability varies by address and construction schedule. Seeing a county highlighted does not guarantee immediate service at every location.
