The McDowell County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Monday night to approve $2.5 million in funding toward expanding broadband internet across underserved rural areas.
County officials say the project, slated to begin construction this fall, will bring high-speed internet access to nearly 1,200 households who currently rely on spotty satellite service or have no service at all.
“We’ve heard from students who can’t complete online assignments, businesses losing sales, and seniors who can’t access telehealth services,” said Commissioner Laura Jennings. “This is more than convenience—it’s economic survival.”
The county will partner with Appalachian FiberNet, which estimates the project could take 12 to 18 months to complete. Once finished, download speeds are expected to reach up to 200 Mbps, significantly faster than current options in many hollows and ridges.
Local resident Allen Price, owner of a small online woodworking business, says the news is a “game changer.”
“There’ve been days my website wouldn’t even load,” Price said. “This means I can actually run my business from home instead of driving an hour into town.”
Broadband expansion has become a priority across the Appalachian region, where lack of connectivity hinders economic development. According to a recent Appalachian Regional Commission report, over 30% of residents in some counties still lack reliable internet.
Commissioners say they will hold community meetings over the coming months to share updates and gather input on construction plans.
