Wednesday, October 29, 2025
43.9 F
Beckley
More

    Capito announces largest broadband funding for West Virginia to date

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced that West Virginia would receive $1,210,800,969.85 in funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program to deploy high-speed internet networks.

    A member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Appropriations committees and ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Capito said she believes the largely rural Mountain State is primed for a significant economic boost supported by broadband availability.

    “Connecting West Virginia has been a top priority of mine since day one in the U.S. Senate, and today’s announcement has the ability to lead us to a major breakthrough in that effort,” Capito said.

    “I have consistently worked with those involved in this process at both the state and federal levels to ensure our maps are as accurate as possible and West Virginia receives its fair share of funding.

    "This funding, the largest amount of broadband funding awarded to the state to date, will assist in our efforts to provide communities with the resources they need to improve connectivity overall. We are on the cusp of a major breakthrough — one that I am committed to seeing through.”

    The program and its funding were made available through the .

    Advertisement

    Capito has advocated for creating the broadband program in the act and ensuring accurate mapping data. She has raised concerns with the Federal Communications Commission about past inaccuracies in their broadband maps, given that broadband funding is directly tied to the maps.

    When the first version of the commission’s national broadband map came out in November 2022, she determined that West Virginia’s "underserved and unserved data was far off."

    West Virginia worked to improve the data for the updated map in May 2023. More than 86,000 challenges were accepted, and West Virginia was among the top 10 most improved states.

    The updated map found that more than 271,000 serviceable locations in West Virginia do not have broadband access.


    Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly.

    David Sibray
    David Sibray
    Historian, real estate agent, and proponent of inventive economic development in West Virginia, David Sibray is the founder and publisher of West Virginia Explorer Magazine. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Hot this week

    Don’t ignore the winter blues: Seasonal affective disorder is a serious form of depression

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As the days grow shorter and...

    West Virginia historic preservation grants open for 2026 applications

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is now accepting applications...

    Blackwater Falls State Park begins online ticket sales for sled run

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Parks officials today...

    At 50 years, West Virginia University celebrates its ground-breaking PRT system

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The familiar hum of the gold...

    The Pumpkin—a West Virginia tradition steeped in lore

    FLAT TOP, W.Va. — With the exception of corn,...

    Topics

    West Virginia historic preservation grants open for 2026 applications

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is now accepting applications...

    Blackwater Falls State Park begins online ticket sales for sled run

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Parks officials today...

    The Pumpkin—a West Virginia tradition steeped in lore

    FLAT TOP, W.Va. — With the exception of corn,...

    Here are 20 things that make wild, wonderful West Virginia famous

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — From the peaks of the Allegheny...

    West Virginia University insect tracker says light pollution threatens rare fireflies

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — While rare “synchronous fireflies” are becoming...

    West Virginia University expert shares tips to keep fall mums blooming longer

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The brilliant colors of chrysanthemums, or...

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories