CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) made stops over the past several days in South Charleston, Institute, Glen Jean, Richwood, Huntington, and Charleston during the U.S. Senate’s state work week. The visits focused on tourism, empowering the next generation of female leaders, supporting local employers, education and workforce development, and broadband deployment across the state.
On Monday, Senator Capito toured West Virginia State University in Institute, W.Va. and received an update on new developments, including the nursing program and football stadium. She then traveled to South Charleston to meet with Mayor Frank Mullens to discuss efforts to increase economic development in the region, and later toured the West Virginia Regional Technology Park.
For more on these visits, click here.
On Tuesday, Senator Capito visited the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Headquarters in Glen Jean, W.Va. to meet with Acting Superintendent Leslie Reynolds for an update on the park’s first anniversary, the latest upgrades, and how we can address park infrastructure and capacity.
She also visited Richwood, W.Va. to meet with Mayor Gary Johnson and community leaders to discuss the latest on water and broadband projects, as well as continued recovery efforts from the 2016 flood.
Finally, Senator Capito hosted a Girls Rise Up event at Richwood Middle and High Schools, the 25th program she has hosted that aims to instill confidence in young West Virginia women and empower them to be strong and kind female leaders.
“I’m so excited to kick off a new year of Girls Rise Up with Richwood Middle and High School students today,” Senator Capito said. “I’m confident these female students at Richwood will go on to be successful, and most importantly, build each other up each and every day. If they dedicate themselves and put their minds to it, there is nothing West Virginia girls cannot do.”
For more on these visits, click here.
On Wednesday, Senator Capito visited Huntington, W.Va. and began her day at Heritage Farm to meet with Executive Director Audy Perry and discuss the venue’s recent improvements, as well as what transportation infrastructure could mean for his business, the economy, and the region as a whole.
Senator Capito then toured the Level 1 Fasteners facility and discussed her continued work in Congress to secure defense funding and forge partnerships that support the woman owned and operated business, which employs roughly 90 individuals and supplies fasteners, nuts, and bolts to the U.S. Navy.
Following Level 1 Fasteners, Senator Capito met with Marshall University President Brad D. Smith and others to discuss a variety of issues related to economic development and entrepreneurship. They then visited the Huntington Tri-State Airport for a tour of new facilities that are part of Marshall University’s Aviation Maintenance Technician program.
“Marshall University’s Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) program is helping drive the aerospace industry right here in West Virginia,” Senator Capito said. “Just as important, the new flight school and workforce training for technicians are expanding opportunities in the western region of the state, addressing pilot shortages, and introducing new career paths to those entering the workforce. As a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ll continue to advocate for funding that builds out and expands proven, successful initiatives like Marshall’s AMT program.”
For more on these visits, click here.
On Thursday, Senator Capito 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.
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.
For more on these visits, click here.
Photos from the events this week are included below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours West Virginia State University in Institute, W.Va. on Monday, January 24, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) meets with South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens in South Charleston, W.Va. on Monday, January 24, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participates in a West Virginia Girls Rise Up event with Richwood Middle and High School in Richwood, W.Va. on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours Level 1 Fasteners in Huntington, W.Va. on Wednesday, January 26, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours the Tri-State Airport with Marshall University President Brad Smith in Huntington, W.Va. on Wednesday, January 26, 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.
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