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Work to bring broadband internet access to those who haven't had it is now finished in one section of Ohio County.
Installation on Breezy Hill, Union Hill and McCutcheon Road is now complete by Comcast, and the company is taking new orders for service, according to Ohio County Administrator Randy Russell.
He said 29 additional homes will have immediate access to broadband internet, while the work will open up the potential for the expansion of more broadband opportunities in that area of the county in the future.
"We haven't determined how many are signing up, and some areas will require additional work," Russell said.
He commended Comcast and American Electric Power for working together to get the project done months ahead of schedule. Initially, the lines weren't to be placed until the end of this year.
Ohio County paid Comcast $112,700 to expand their service to the Breezy Hill, Union Hill and McCutcheon Road areas.
After committing to the work, the county received just over $8 million through the American Rescue Act COVID relief plan passed by Congress. The money is to be used for water, sewer and broadband expansion projects.
Russell said the county will be undertaking more broadband projects in the future with the funding.
"The county is working with the Ohio County Board of Education to identify other areas that need broadband sooner than later," he said. "Our priority is to get broadband internet to areas where school children are involved.
"COVID brought to everyone attention's the lack of broadband in the county, and we are relying on them to identify the areas with the most need."
A list of potential broadband projects -- as well as water and sewer projects -- is being collected, Russell said.
Meanwhile, a second franchise is seeking to expand broadband service in Ohio County without any investment of taxpayer money by the county. Massillon Cable TV, formerly Center TV in Warwood, is seeking to take its lines to about 125 customers on Stone Shannon Road on its own dime.
MCTV has applied for a franchise license, and a hearing to grant the license is the next step in the process, according to Russell.
"They have to apply for a franchise agreement through the county -- which they have done," he said. "They are trying to button up an agreement for that franchise. We will have the public hearing in the next couple of weeks. If approved, they would start work immediately," Russell said.