On Friday, Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County Emergency Services coordinator, received word from the West Virginia Public Service Commission advising that the Pendleton County Commission has been approved for a $587,139.50 grant to construct a new 180-foot tall 911 tower in the Seneca Rocks area. Gillespie, who prepared the grant package, stated that the commission applied for the grant in November.
The grants are administered by the WV PSC and derive from fees charged on all cell phone bills in West Virginia. The grants are competitive, and the county was competing against other counties, with only two awards being made. Summers County was awarded the other grant. The Wireless Tower Access Assistance Fund is the source of the grants.
Gillespie said that both AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile Wireless provided letters stating they have an interest in locating new cell phone sites on the tower once it is constructed. He emphasized that the cellular companies will be welcome, but it will be up to them to follow through and agree to lease terms and to actually bring their equipment to the sites.
Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone Company has agreed to assist in bringing their fiber optic cable to the site, which is of key importance in supporting the connectivity that cell phone companies will need. Having the fiber optic cable present will support possible 911 needs as well. Gillespie expressed his appreciation to SKSRT for supporting this important project.
Gillespie stated, “When complete and in operation, this tower will greatly enhance the initial dispatching of fire and EMS personnel in the entire northern end of the North Fork Valley. And, if the cell phone companies follow-through, which we believe they will, this will bring expanded wireless communications to a much larger area surrounding Seneca Rocks.”
He continued, “In our modern times, first responders rely more heavily on wireless devices that work only when in range of cell sites. By expanding the cellular/wireless signals in the area, we will be supporting enhanced first responder communications.”
Gillespie said that the tower should be completed in 12 months or less, with construction having to commence within six months. He stated that several required steps must be completed as a part of the process and the current state of the national supply chain will have an impact as well.
This makes the fourth Pendleton County tower funded by the Wireless Tower Access Assistance Fund since 2011. The others are located at Cave Mountain near Upper Tract, Hunting Ground Mountain near Cherry Grove and at the Pendleton 911 Center.
