RIPLEY — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito made multiple stops in Jackson County on Monday.
Capito, R-W.Va., discussed broadband expansion, announced key federal funding for the Ripley wastewater system and met with local leaders.
“Today’s visits in Ripley re-emphasized two of the basic needs of the community, which are a safe, functioning water and wastewater system, and reliable internet access for students, businesses, and seniors,” Capito said Monday.
“Fortunately, it also highlighted the tremendous efforts underway to accomplish our shared goals and improve on both of these fronts for residents in Jackson County and the surrounding area,” Capito said. “I fought to ensure West Virginia would receive ample funding for broadband deployment in the bipartisan infrastructure law, and I was proud to secure $3 million in direct funding for the city’s continued water system upgrades.”
It was a great day for Ripley to welcome Capito, Mayor Carolyn Rader said.
“Because of the efforts of Sen. Capito and Sen. Joe Manchin, we are confident that our project will be able to be completed,” Rader said. “We are anticipating more avenues of funding to make this become a reality.”
Capito met with the Roane-Jackson Development Authority to discuss its efforts to deploy fast, reliable internet access across seven counties through the GigReady program. Capito also highlighted the benefits of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act she helped craft that will deliver hundreds of millions of dollars to the state for broadband expansion, as well as the stories she’s heard from constituents in the area about their broadband experiences as part of her Capito Connect Share Your Stories initiative.
Capito then spoke at Ripley City Hall to announce the $3 million in congressionally directed spending through the Senate Appropriations Committee to upgrade the city’s wastewater and sewer systems.