WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., unveiled the "Capito Connect Plan," which aims to bring affordable, high-speed Internet access to every home, business and classroom in West Virginia.
"High-speed Internet access is a pillar of our 21st Century infrastructure and a gateway to economic growth in rural America," Capito said earlier this week at a roundtable discussion in Fairmont, West Virginia. "When I was sworn into the Senate, I outlined my top priorities for strengthening West Virginia, and improving broadband is at the top of that list. Better connecting West Virginia through increased broadband access is imperative if we are going to compete and thrive, and my Capito Connect Plan is a roadmap for achieving this goal."
A recent study by the Federal Communications Commission indicates 56 percent of West Virginia residents do not have access to broadband services that meet its benchmarks. In rural areas, this number is 74 percent.
The Capito Connect Plan outlines three steps: understanding the benefits of a connected West Virginia; fostering collaboration between government and the private sector; and promoting economic growth through innovation.
"The Capito Connect Plan is a roadmap for bringing affordable, high-speed Internet access to every home, business and classroom in West Virginia," she said. "Along with this plan, I am launching a listening tour to hear from individuals and organizations around the state about how to best tackle this challenge. I encourage all West Virginians to share their broadband story with me by attending one of these listening sessions, submitting a comment on my website or writing to my office."
Improving broadband in a rural state like West Virginia is no small task, Capito said, since it requires time, investment and cooperation between the businesses community along with all levels of government.
"Together, we can tackle this challenge and seize the potential broadband has to offer West Virginia," Capito said.
"We have many of the broadband providers here today. It is tremendously important that we work together toward a solution."