The WVBEC sponsored its second ReConnect Program funding workshop February 20

The West Virginia Broadband Council sponsored its second ReConnect Program funding workshop February 20 in Buckhannon for public officials, community leaders and private sector industry members to gain a greater understanding of to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect) and how to best prepare an application. The ReConnect program is allocating approximately $600 million in grants and loans to successful applicants to build broadband infrastructure in rural America.

Workshop speakers included officials from the Broadband Council, USDA, West Virginia Economic Development Authority, and state GIS office.  U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin both provided welcome remarks as did U.S. Congressman Alex Mooney, who represents West Virginia’s Second District. The West Virginia Department of Commerce and the USDA were also workshop sponsors.