{Charleston, West Virginia}...Governor Earl Ray Tomblin says Shentel plans to invest $9.5 million to bring high-speed Internet to 10,000 homes in McDowell County by the end of year. Shentel announced Wednesday it will install hundreds of miles of fiber-optic cable to bring access to about 90 percent of the county. Shentel, also known as Shenandoah Telecommunications Co., is one of 80 organizations and businesses taking part in Reconnecting McDowell. The private-public partnership is aimed at rescuing the impoverished county and its troubled schools. Shentel vice president and chief operating officer Earle MacKenzie says broadband in other rural communities has provided enhanced education opportunities and helped to create economic development opportunities.
