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County approves lease for telecom towers to expand broadband in southeastern Bedford County
Summary
The board approved a 20-year lease with Bryon L. Mearkle for $2,000 per year to allow construction of telecommunication towers for the Connecting the Alleghenies core broadband project; planning staff said geotechnical testing is complete and state approval is needed before bids.
Bedford County commissioners on June 11 approved a 20-year lease with Bryon L. Mearkle to allow construction of telecommunication towers as part of the Connecting the Alleghenies Through Core Broadband Infrastructure project.
The lease, for $2,000 per year from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2044, was approved on the recommendation of Planning Director Stephanie Clevenstine and is intended to serve the southeastern part of the county, including Artemas, Monroe Township and East Providence Township. Clevenstine told the board that geotechnical testing has been completed and that state approval is required before the project goes out to bid later this year.
Commissioner Baughman said the project has been a long-standing priority to bring service to areas currently unserved by commercial providers and thanked the Planning Department for its work on the initiative. The project is funded in part by the Appalachian Regional Commission and the lease approval clears a property-access step necessary for tower construction and network buildout.
Next steps include final state approvals and competitive procurement for construction; the county’s planning office will continue to coordinate site preparation and contract procurement.
