CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A $33 million expansion of West Virginia’s emergency communications tower network will nearly double its capacity and, for the first time, allow commercial providers to use it to make high-speed Internet available to residents in rural communities.

The two-year project includes up to 17 new microwave towers and new radio equipment and satellite dishes at the existing 90 tower sites. The state is using federal economic stimulus funding to pay for the project, the Sunday Gazette-Mail reported.