In West Virginia, the Ghent Volunteer Fire Department has signed up for a broadband stimulus program that is designed to increase broadband education and access in underserved areas of the state.

"It just teaches you how to basically use the computer to do run-of-the-mill everyday things," said John Cox, a fireman and paramedic. "Uploading pictures, scanning pictures in, making folders files that kind of thing and as a mentor we are the teacher."

The project will create 30 labs in at least 14 counties across the state. According to a recent survey, 67 percent of homes in those counties have computers, but less than half have home Internet service. 30 more labs will be built over the next three years.

"I certainly think that broadband Internet kind of puts more control in decision making the hands of people about their lives and about the direction they would like to go in," said Traci Hickson, director of communications at The Future Generations Graduate School, who is helping to organize the project.

"They are allowed to come and use the computer lab, it’s not just if you want to come and learn, if you just need the access it gives that access to those people so the large void of having trouble getting internet and all that kind of stuff, this will fill it," Cox added.

Read more about the announcement here.