CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) says she wants to hear from West Virginians when it comes to service needs related to broadband expansion.
The senator put the call out Tuesday as part of her Capito Connect plan.
“I want to invite everybody to tell me specifically where you are, what your service is and if it’s unsatisfactory or if it needs improvement,” Capito said on Tuesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
Capito Connect is one of the first initiatives Capito introduced when she joined the Senate in 2015 to highlight the digital divide in the state.
The public is encouraged to share their stories and experiences on a new web page: capito.senate.gov/ShareYourStories.
West Virginia is going to get more than $100 million dollars from the federal infrastructure law to expand broadband. Capito said it’s important to hear from as many people as possible so they can put that money to good use.
“I want to make sure we are working with the state and the local entities that we’re maxing out our opportunities here because this is going to be a massive effort. I want to make sure we do it right,” she said.
With three economic development announcements made last week, Capito said now is the time to improve internet access for businesses moving to the Mountain State.
“As we grow our economy, and with the announcements from last week, we have to have broad connectivity to be able to make sure that we can attract those kinds of investments,” she said.
Nucor Steel in Mason County, Green Power Motor in Kanawha County and Owens & Minor in Monongalia County are among the companies planning to bring hundreds of jobs to West Virginia over next year.
Capito’s staff plans to evaluate input over the coming weeks and then announce next steps for the program.