CHARLESTON, W.VA —The Governor Jim Justice, the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, the Office of Broadband, along with the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council and the West Virginia Economic Development Council, hosted broadband industry leaders from throughout West Virginia and the nation at the 2024 West Virginia Broadband Summit this week in Charleston.
The event included presentations detailing West Virginia’s broadband expansion initiatives, broadband data and mapping, focused discussions on workforce development initiatives in the broadband industry, and specific requirements of federal funding programs. Projects that are under construction throughout West Virginia were highlighted during the event.
The Governor had previously approved these projects to receive funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
“We continue to make broadband connectivity in West Virginia a priority, and I have directed the West Virginia Department of Economic Development to pursue every possible option to ensure that our citizens gain access to this technology,” Gov. Justice said. “My administration recognizes that broadband technology and infrastructure are critical to West Virginia’s future. It enables our residents to compete in an increasingly technical job market, and it enables our businesses to continue to grow and expand.”
Companies that have progressed to the construction phase with ARPA projects in 2024 include Citynet, Comcast, Frontier Communications, Hardy Telecommunications, Micrologic, Digital Connections, Inc., dba Prodigi and Shenandoah Cable Television, LLC dba Shentel. Other previously approved projects have also been completed or are currently in the design and permitting phases. Currently, 23 projects are in permitting and design, 12 projects are in construction, and 4 projects have been completed. Projects can be viewed on a public dashboard available at: www.broadband.wv.gov/arpadashboard.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito addressed Summit attendees and noted that the federal government has made historic investments in broadband over the past several years and that West Virginia has stood out among other states in its approach to funding opportunities.
“It’s very nice to be in Washington, D.C. and to hear at the federal level, ‘West Virginia is ahead of the curve!’ It’s been a total team effort as you stretch from D.C. into the state and it’s great to have West Virginia at the forefront,” Sen. Capito said.
Evan Feinman, national director of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, under the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA), provided keynote remarks, noting that West Virginia was among the first states in the nation to secure BEAD funding approval and among the first states to open a BEAD application cycle.
“West Virginia is among the nation’s leaders in implementing the BEAD program and deploying the program,” said Feinman. “Where we (in West Virginia) are now is where the nation will soon be starting to catch up.”
Referring to NTIA’s partnership with West Virginia in the BEAD program, Feinman said, “We are going to get the job done. We’re ready to deliver whatever you need to get it done. It’s tough dealing with big, complicated projects but it can be done, and it has been done. West Virginia can do tough, and we are going to help you get through it.”
The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Funding will be used to improve reliable high-speed internet for residents statewide. West Virginia has secured $1.2 billion in BEAD funding through NTIA approval of its BEAD Initial Proposal. West Virginia’s BEAD Final Proposal, which must include projects that will reach all BEAD-eligible locations in the state, must be submitted to NTIA before April 17, 2025.
Additional information, including program details and updates and broadband mapping can be found at broadband.wv.gov.