Listening Tour across West Virginia
The West Virginia Department of Economic Development (WVDED) used its Digital Equity Program planning grant funds to hear from residents in all 55 Counties, as part of the WVDED listening tour. This tour enabled the WVDED to hear from local citizens, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), elected officials, and other community leaders. These meetings were critical in identifying the unique challenges to meet in each community to achieve the goal of Internet for All.
Extending Service in West Virginia
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure (Middle Mile) Program awarded $25 million to Appalachian Power Company to expand and improve broadband services in southern West Virginia. The funding will help provide broadband service to approximately 22,000 households in Raleigh, Wyoming, McDowell, Mercer, and Summers counties. This funding builds on $19.6 million in previous funding provided through NTIA’s Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) for Appalachian Power to expand service to more than 12,000 households in Logan and Mingo Counties.
Stakeholder Engagement
Between March 1 and June 30, 2023, the WVDED and its partners hosted more than 148 virtual and in-person events such as kick-off meetings, broadband summits, and listening sessions. The WVDED office ran a statewide survey from June 28, 2023, through August 16, 2023, and received 2,436 responses.