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Franklin County broadband partners report progress; some districts still lag
Summary
Shentel and American Electric Power told the Franklin County Broadband Authority they have completed much of Phase 1 of a VADI‑funded build but temporary attachments, weather and coordination with a separate River Street project mean parts of Snow Creek and other areas remain behind schedule.
The Franklin County Broadband Authority heard progress reports Aug. 19 from Shentel and American Electric Power on projects funded under the county’s VADI and related grants, and approved its July 15 meeting minutes.
Shentel representative Jessica Wilmer told the authority the company has brought 2,337 of 3,508 contracted unserved and underserved locations into service — "that's the 67% mark." She said design and permitting submittals are substantially complete, five fiber cabinets are in service, and about 1,100 homes (roughly 215 miles of construction) are under active construction. Wilmer said Shentel has spent about $3,131,800 through July 2025 on the 2022 project and expects about 600 of the homes currently under construction to be in service by September.
The report made clear, however, that some installations rely on temporary pole‑attachment approvals from American Electric Power (AEP). "We have a couple weather delays and a helicopter pole that needs to be done," AEP representative Rob Mann said, and he confirmed his crews are working toward a mid‑September target for completing Phase 2 make‑ready work. Mann said AEP planned to keep multiple crews working in Franklin County through the coming month despite reassignments to neighboring counties.
Authority members pressed for more detail about districts still far behind. Supervisor Mitchell repeatedly flagged Snow Creek, noting the chart shown that day listed Snow Creek at roughly 10.9% complete while other districts showed figures above 100% because of how progress was counted. Wilmer and authority staff said the difference reflected sequencing: contractors built out in other districts first and the separate River Street project covers much of Snow Creek's remaining households. Steve Sandy, broadband staff, said the authority would meet in the field with River Street representatives later in the week and provide dedicated updates to Mitchell on Snow Creek.
The authority also heard that some parcel access must wait for agricultural harvests; Wilmer said landowners had asked crews not to drive through soybean and corn fields until after harvest. Wilmer and Mann described ongoing "cleanup" work to convert temporary attachments to permanent connections where AEP has completed final make‑ready.
The authority approved the July 15 meeting minutes on a motion by Chairman Thompson and a second by Carter.
Members requested weekly district‑level reports and a field visit update after the planned Thursday site review with River Street. Staff said it will provide more granular reporting for Snow Creek and other districts until the county sees final attachments and permanent tie‑ins.
What happens next: Shentel and AEP will continue make‑ready work, finalize temporary attachments and complete Phase 2 permitting; staff will provide dedicated Snow Creek updates and follow up after the River Street field visit.
