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Reedy residents Robert Bauer (seated) and Mike Burgess surf the Web at the community center. Photo by Jim Cooper

“Larger companies sometimes overlook rural areas,” Maryann Rhodes, an official with WV WISP, said. “This way we can live where we want and still have access to the rest of the world.”

Rhodes made the comments during a celebration Thursday to mark the completion of the company’s project to bring wireless broadband service to Reedy. Nearly 30 people, including local and state government officials, attended the invitation-only event at the Reedy Community Center.

The room included 10 laptop computers provided free of charge by WV WISP to fulfill the requirements of a federal grant. The $628,200 Community Connect Grant from USDA Rural Development was announced in 2008.

Reedy was the only West Virginia community selected from among 103 applications that were made nationwide. Twenty-five communities in 16 states received the grants.

“It’s taken a while to get here,” Rhodes said, noting the effort endured setbacks and the impatience of some Reedy residents. “But we finally made it. We’re here and we’re not leaving anyone out.”

Service is currently available to those within line of sight of a tower erected off Middle Fork Road. Rhodes said a second phase beginning in April would allow others to gain access with the addition of some equipment. A third phase is also under consideration.

“We’ll try to bring as many residents online as we can and as quickly as we can,” Rhodes said.

The project is the first for WV WISP, whose president is developer Rod Parsons of Frozencamp. Service originates from a tower in Ripley and is transmitted to Reedy from towers on Aplin Ridge in Jackson County and Colt Ridge in Roane County. Rhodes said a limited number of customers could be added from the Aplin Ridge and Colt Ridge towers.

The grant also required WV WISP to supply free service to the Reedy Volunteer Fire Dept. station and Reedy Elementary School. The fire department is online and the school should be added soon, Rhodes said.

In addition, the company is providing free service at the community building, along with free assistance for the public. Johnathan Stiltner has been hired to help area residents who want to take advantage of the service.

“I think I reflect what the community is feeling,” Stiltner, who has much slower dial-up service at his home six miles away on Groundhog Ridge, said. “Everybody who stops in here is enthusiastic about it, and I understand their enthusiasm.”

Stiltner and his wife Virginia, a volunteer, will be at the center weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Both have degrees from WVU-Parkersburg in computer information systems.

“We encourage all the residents to come in,” Rhodes said. “We’ll answer the basic questions to those from the computer-savvy. We can assist anyone who comes in.”

Rhodes said she hoped the people of Reedy would fill the computer chairs at the community building, which include one designed for handicapped use. Steve Pilato, a representative of the governor’s office, doesn’t think that will be a problem.

“I think you’ll be surprised at the people who show up hungry to use these laptops,” he said.

Along with Pilato, representatives from Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Rep. Shelley Moore Capito were among those who spoke during the ceremony, as was Richard Jenkins of the USDA’s telecommunications program.

“Telecommunications is one of the most important parts of community development and economic development,” Bobby Lewis, state director of USDA Rural Development, told the gathering. “This is a remarkable achievement. I can’t think of too many more of this magnitude.”

Robert Bauer, a paramedic and assistant fire chief, said the service would make a difference in Reedy.

“It means a lot to the community,” he said. “The dial-up here was pretty bad. There are a lot of college classes people can take online, and I think a lot of people will benefit from it.”

Mike Burgess, on whose farm the tower was erected, agreed.

“It will help this town out,” he said. “This town needs it.”

Kathy Salvucci, a member of Reedy Town Council, summed up the thoughts of many of her neighbors who have moved closer to the rest of the world without leaving their rural community.

“This is truly a historic day in Reedy,” she said. “We’re just proud and happy to be a part of the project. We have been given a tremendous gift.”