Broadband

The Roane County EDA and Citynet to Hold Dedication of New Fiber Broadband Network in Roane County and Surrounding Counties

October 18, 2023

Spencer, WV – October 18, 2023 – The Roane County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA) in partnership with Citynet, West Virginia’s leading provider of telecommunications and technology services, today announced that a dedication ceremony for the construction of a fiber network in Roane and surrounding counties will be held on October 27th at 1:00 PM at 209 East Main Street, Spencer, WV. The public is invited to attend.

The new fiber network will provide gigabit-speed internet service to nearly 5,000 targeted households located in Roane, Jackson, Calhoun, Clay, Braxton, Webster, Gilmer, and Nicholas Counties. As a result of this partnership, once the network is constructed, Citynet will be able to provide Gigabit broadband service to approximately 8,500 households located within these counties.

The project is being funded by a $17,057,869 grant from the West Virginia Department of Economic Development GigReady Incentive Program, with a 25% match ($5,685,956) provided through a partnership between the Roane County EDA and Citynet.

“We are excited to partner with the Roane County EDA to bring high-speed internet access to this region of West Virginia,” said Citynet CEO Jim Martin. “This new network will help to bridge the digital divide and provide residents and businesses with the connectivity they need to thrive in the 21st-century economy.” Mark Whitley, Executive Director of the Roane County Economic Development Authority, added, “As a result of this partnership, thousands of West Virginians who currently have no internet service will have access to reliable Gigabit broadband service. Without this project, these households would have likely never had access to high-speed broadband delivered over a fiber network. Once complete, this project will impact almost all aspects of our daily lives, including the delivery of healthcare, how we educate our youth, and our efforts to retain our current workforce and to attract new businesses and jobs to the area.”

Construction on the new network is expected to begin in January 2024 and be completed within two years.

Like This Post?

Fiber

Before You Dig in West Virginia: Why Calling 811 Matters

Spring has arrived in West Virginia, and with it comes a surge of outdoor projects—planting trees, installing fences, landscaping, and home improvements. Before you start digging, there is one step you should never skip: Contact West Virginia 811. It is free. It is simple. And in West Virginia, it is the law. What Is West Virginia 811? West Virginia 811

April 8, 2026

The Latest Scams

Scammers Are Targeting Home Projects—Here’s What to Watch

If you’re building, renovating, or improving your home, there’s a new scam you need to watch for—and it’s catching people at exactly the wrong time. How the Scam Works You receive an email that appears to come from a local government office—maybe your city, county, or permitting department. The message claims there’s an issue with your project and that you

March 30, 2026

Fiber

Stop the Buffer: How to Get the Most from Your Streaming Experience

There’s nothing more frustrating than getting to the final seconds of a close game—only to see the spinning buffering wheel right before the winning shot. While buffering is often blamed on slow internet, that’s not always the case—especially if you’re already connected to Citynet Fiber. Your streaming device, settings, and even your home network setup can all impact performance. Here’s

March 27, 2026

Technology

Phone Photography Tips: Take Better Photos This Spring

Capture Spring Like a Pro — With Just Your Phone Spring is one of the most photogenic times of year—blooming flowers, longer golden-hour light, and weekends filled with moments worth remembering. The best part?You don’t need a $3,000 camera or professional training to capture it all. The phone in your pocket is more powerful than most people realize. With just

March 27, 2026

Cybersecurity

How Long Attackers Stay in a Network Before They’re Discovered

When people imagine a cyberattack, they often picture a dramatic event — systems suddenly shutting down or files becoming encrypted. But many cyber incidents don’t unfold that way. In many cases, attackers quietly gain access to a network and remain there for weeks or even months before being discovered. This period is known as “dwell time.” During this time, attackers

March 25, 2026

Cybersecurity

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid During a Cyberattack

Think your business may already be compromised? See the warning signs and response steps here Even well-intentioned actions can make a cyber incident worse Cyberattacks often unfold quickly, and the wrong response in the first few minutes can make an incident far more difficult to contain and investigate. When a cyber incident occurs, the natural reaction is to act quickly

March 25, 2026