WAYNESBURG – Plans for broadband installation from the $1M donation by the CNX Foundation and contribution by fiber broadband industry partner Kinetic were recently finalized. The third phase of Greene County’s broadband program was officially approved by Greene County Commissioners and will begin soon with a two-year completion estimate.
“Kinetic is proud to partner with the county and the foundation on this important project,” said Kinetic state operations President Susan Schraibman at a county-hosted event announcing the investment. “The communities in this county that were previously bypassed for high-speed broadband deserve the same opportunities for high-quality internet connectivity that larger, urbanized areas enjoy. Fiber provides that connectivity. It’s the broadband of tomorrow. And Kinetic will provide the highest-quality, most reliable and most user-friendly broadband possible.”
“We’re delighted so many residents and businesses will get the benefits of fiber, and we’re thrilled this partnership will let us provide the ultrafast fiber internet so affordably,” Schraibman added.
The approved fiber to the premise projects are within Gray Township, Morris Township, and Richhill Township and include Ryerson Station State Park. This project includes 31 fiber miles and more than 103 addresses of unserved or underserved residences, businesses and state park addresses that will have access to gigabit speed broadband. There are numerous projects in different stages of completion or planned within the county and these specific addresses were not covered by any other proposed project. The county’s goal is to provide the opportunity for every residence, business, or industry to access high-speed broadband.
This is the third major investment in broadband in Greene County in the past two and a half years. Following a comprehensive feasibility study in 2020, the Commissioners successfully invested more than $3M in broadband service improvements to serve more than 8,300 underserved and unserved households with a combination of CARES Act Funding and Kinetic capital investments.
Following that success, the Commissioners received $2.5M in Appalachian Regional Commission Grant matched with $2.7 million from Kinetic capital investments which will be invested in all or parts of Aleppo, Freeport, Gilmore, Perry, Springhill and Wayne Townships. Construction of this project begins soon and includes 105 miles of fiber to 767 unserved locations in Greene County.
“CNX Foundation is proud to support the Greene County Broadband Expansion initiative and is pleased that the team has moved quickly to reach the installation phase of this important project,” said Brian Aiello, Vice President, External Relations at CNX Resources. “This is a significant milestone to bring gig speed internet access to all communities within Greene County and we applaud the County Commissioners on their commitment to advancing this effort forward.”
Greene County Commissioners understand the positive impacts in education, entertainment, employment, and economic development access to broadband delivers and determined to offer access to every resident, visitor, business, and industry in Greene County. We continually strive to make Greene County a better place to live, learn, work and play and sincerely appreciate our industry partners.
Funded by CNX Resources, the CNX Foundation publicized in July 2021 their initiative to oversee the $30M charitable pledge designed to drive long-term, sustainable return on investment and broaden the path to the middle class in the Appalachian region. One million dollars for broadband access in rural Greene County was among the first donations announced.
Additional information on the county’s programs can be obtained through the Greene County Commissioners’ Facebook page or by calling 724-852-5210.
Left to right:
Jarrett Niecgorski, Filed Representative for Guy Reschenthaler
Blair Zimmerman, Commissioner
Mike Belding, Commissioner
Betsy McClure, Commissioner
Amy Hopkins, CNX Foundation
Jeanne Shearer, Kinetic by Windstream
Susan Schraibman, Kinetic by Windstream
Shawna Cossin, Kinetic by Windstream
About CNX Foundation
The CNX Foundation is a registered 501c(3) philanthropic organization that invests tangibly, impactfully, and locally targeting urban and rural communities within the Appalachian Basin that face socio-economic challenges. With a commitment of $30 million over six years and a focus on underserved populations, the CNX Foundation seeks to set a new standard for how corporations engage with their communities. Additional information, including funding criteria and grant application details can be found at www.cnx.com/foundation.
About Kinetic
Kinetic by Windstream is a business unit of Windstream Holdings, a privately held communications and software company. Kinetic provides premium broadband, entertainment and security services through an enhanced fiber network to consumers and businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. The company also offers managed communications services, including SD-WAN and UCaaS, and high-capacity bandwidth and transport services to businesses across the U.S. Additional information is available at GoKinetic.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GoKineticHome.
About Greene County
The extreme southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, Greene County is considered the cornerstone of the keystone state. In our many communities, as well as in our county seat of Waynesburg, folks pass you on the street and call you by name. Friends chat on the courthouse steps or at the local grocery store. But, high-speed connection to the world is alive and well here. The best of both worlds can be found here; small-town atmosphere and access to the rest of the world. We welcome visitors and newcomers with open arms and quickly become old friends. https://www.co.greene.pa.us/