Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
St. Albans explores leasing dark fiber to extend broadband access to businesses and institutions
Loading...
Summary
City officials say a middle-mile fiber build paid for with COVID funds is complete to a junction with Putnam County; the city plans to lease strands to cable companies and businesses rather than run residential service and discussed a motion to reduce routing costs.
Mayor Scott James and Parks and Recreation Superintendent Kevin Pennington described a middle-mile fiber project the city financed using COVID-relief funds and said the build currently terminates at a junction with Putnam County near Route 60 and the 08/17 connector.
The officials said the fiber plant includes 144 strands that are currently dark — "They're all dark. They're not lit up," Mayor Scott James said — and the city is discussing how to route and light the network. Possible routes mentioned included crossing the river, routing along Strawberry Road or following Coal River Road into Lincoln County to tie into existing infrastructure. The speakers emphasized the city is not planning to provide direct residential service; instead, a cable company could lease fiber strands from the city and extend service to neighborhoods.
Officials also said they have been in early discussions with potential commercial users such as Vandalia Health and with cable operators who would lease capacity. The council voted on a motion (discussed by speakers) to reduce projected costs for the segment from the Putnam County junction to Coal Mountain; the speakers did not provide the motion text, mover or an official vote tally in the podcast.
Next steps noted in the podcast: finalize routing, complete negotiations with potential lessees and coordinate with neighboring counties and network owners. Mayor Scott James and Kevin Pennington said the project could generate lease revenue for the city but did not specify timing or projected revenue.
