WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly $20 million is heading to Mingo and Logan counties, to help get broadband service to nearly 13,000 homes.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has approved a $19.7 million grant to the Logan and Mingo Counties Fiber to the Premises project.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin noted that the pandemic has highlighted just how vital broadband access can be, and this grant will help provide the service to 12,859 homes in Mingo and Logan counties. Despite that, nearly 1-in-5 West Virginia homes do not have any type of internet subscription, and 14 percent of residents live in areas with no broadband capability.

The money is part of $227 million in broadband spending going to a dozen states and Guam. It was authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.