CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, as well as co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, today hosted several events in the Charleston area focused on broadband and its future in West Virginia.
First, Senator Capito met virtually with members from both the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and invited members of the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council where she heard directly from them on the connectivity challenges they are facing, and explained how she will continue to assist at the federal level to address these issues.
“Since I came to the Senate in 2015, connecting West Virginia has been a top priority. That’s because reliable and affordable broadband is the key to creating new opportunities for West Virginia families, students, and job creators. The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council share this goal. Conversations like the ones we had today will bring us closer to developing solutions that will help close the digital divide,” Senator Capito said.
“The Chamber appreciates Senator Capito for her work on so many fronts. This meeting with Senator Capito is another example of her engagement with people from throughout West Virginia and in all walks of life,” Steve Roberts, President of the West Virginia Chamber, said.
“We appreciate Senator Capito’s efforts to expand broadband throughout West Virginia. The initiatives she has spearheaded over the years through her Capito Connect plan have helped West Virginia close the digital divide. We appreciate the relationship we have with Senator Capito and her staff and look forward to continuing the great work of expanding broadband throughout the mountain state,” Robbie Morris, Chairman of the WV Broadband Enhancement Council, said.
As part of her Capito Connect Share Your Stories initiative, Senator Capito then hosted a Capito Connect roundtable with constituents from across West Virginia on broadband. During the discussion, the participants shared their stories about how broadband is critical to business, education, healthcare and their community.
“I launched my Capito Connect stories initiative so I can hear directly from West Virginians about the real challenges they are experiencing when it comes to connectivity. This feedback is instrumental in helping us achieve our goal of connecting more homes, businesses, and classrooms across West Virginia. After launching the initiative and reading so many of these stories, I enjoyed hearing firsthand about how educators, healthcare workers, and small business owners are finding ways to succeed as they face challenges like COVID-19 and use the Internet and other resources to succeed. I am confident that together we can finally connect West Virginia,” Senator Capito said.
“I want to thank Senator Capito for providing this opportunity to share our concerns, successes, and ideas on how to expand broadband internet across our state. Having dependable and reliable internet is an essential component of learning in today's world. Senator Capito's work will not only support our students as they learn, but it will ultimately create endless possibilities for them,” Amy Maynard, Meadows Elementary School Principal, said.
During all of the discussions, Senator Capito expanded upon the work her office is doing to increase Internet connectivity across the Mountain State through the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure package, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. From working with West Virginians, broadband providers, and other involved parties, Capito Connect serves as a driving force for connected unserved and underserved communities with the resources they need for Internet connectivity. For more information about Capito Connect, click here. For more information on Senator Capito’s broadband stories initiative, click here.
Photos from today’s event are included below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) meets virtually with members of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council in Charleston, W.Va. on Thursday, January 27, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) hosts a Capito Connect broadband roundtable in Charleston, W.Va. on Thursday, January 27, 2022.
# # #