WELCH, W.Va. (AP) ? Most residents in McDowell County will have access to high-speed Internet by the end of year.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin says fiber optic cable connections will be laid to 10,000 homes in the county by Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.
Shentel plans to invest $9 million in the broadband project.
Shentel is also participating in Reconnecting McDowell. The private-public partnership is aimed at rescuing the impoverished county and its troubled schools.
Shentel vice president and chief operating officer Earle MacKenzie says broadband in other rural communities has provided enhanced education opportunities and helped to create economic development opportunities.
