Monongalia County approves ARPA-backed broadband expansion contract with Frontier

Monongalia County commissioners voted Dec. 30 to award RFP MCC005 (Expansion of Broadband) to Frontier and authorized the commission president to sign a final agreement substantially similar to the draft by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2024. The project is intended to extend fiber service to about 80 addresses identified as unserved or underserved and to offer an additional choice to roughly 171 addresses described in the proposal.

Allison Ellis, identified in the meeting as senior vice president of business development and private partnerships for Frontier, told commissioners the company would complement the county’s ARPA investment with its own capital. "We propose to provide service to 80 unserved and underserved locations," Ellis said, adding Frontier would contribute about 17% of the project cost.

County staff reported the overall project cost at $953,519 and the county contribution from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds at $791,421. Officials said the build will cover roughly 11 miles of new fiber in the Gladesville Road–Hallett Road area and will expand service options in that corridor. The draft agreement includes a phasing map (Exhibit C) and a performance bond tied to the county’s contribution; commissioners directed staff and the contractor to finalize those attachments before signature.

Commissioners discussed resident feedback encountered during staff site drives; one speaker noted several Frontier customers expressed satisfaction with service and pricing. Ellis said Frontier is prepared to hold community outreach events after engineering is finalized and to coordinate a joint press announcement when construction is under way.

The motion to authorize signature was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

What happens next: county staff and Frontier will finalize Exhibit C (service area and phasing) and the performance bond language; once those attachments are resolved the county president will be authorized to execute the agreement as approved.