WOODSFIELD — The Switzerland of Ohio Local School District is continuing its work to better connect students and the community with reliable broadband service through its Appalachian Regional Commission project.

Earlier this year, the district was awarded a $400,000 grant through the Appalachian Regional Commission to design and build reliable internet service in areas that are lacking it in Monroe County.

Tess Hill, technology coordinator at SOLSD, said they conducted an online speed test where residents were asked to perform the test in their homes to discover the areas most in need of better service and where it would be best to build the possible towers or signal extenders.

Hill met with the board of education last week for approval of areas they thought would best be served by the installation of the units. She said they eliminated some areas where other entities have secured funding for similar projects in order to narrow down the selection.

“The Monroe County Port Authority is targeting Hannibal; MCTV is targeting heavily populated areas like Woodsfield, Clairington and up toward Powhatan, Beallsville. Our intention is to place these Wifi units for the internet in areas that aren’t going to be duplicated,” she said.

Project organizers have narrowed down the target areas to Stafford, Sardis, Lewisville, and the area between Hannibal and Clarington, and Beallsville and Cameron.

“We’re planning on placing at least five units,” she said, adding that they are working with Southeast Broadband Cooperative on the project’s design.

The goal of the project is to improve internet access for nearly 400 students in the district, around 200 households, and numerous local businesses. Hill said they are about one year into what is said to be a three year project timeline.

“We’re in the design phase and we’re getting ready to go into the actual buildout stage,” she added.

The next stage of the project is to move forward on to the bidding process for equipment and for provider service. Hill said they are hoping to have the project bid out in February or March.

In other matters, the board approved the purchase of a $62,500 Apex Officer Training Simulator for Swiss Hill Career Center’s criminal justice program.

The virtual reality simulator will provide students with “hands-on scenario based exercises.” According to Govred Technology, the program provides an increase in trainee knowledge, skills and confidence in a safe environment that is highly interactive.

The board will next meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 6 at Swiss Hills, located at 46601 Ohio 78 in Woodsfield.