CHAPMANVILLE, W.Va. (WVDN) – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visited Chapmanville, W.Va. to participate in the construction kickoff of Appalachian Power and Gigabeam’s broadband partnership project that will bring high-speed internet connection to 13,000 homes, businesses, schools, and churches in Logan and Mingo counties.
“I’ve heard loud and clear through my Capito Connect initiative, especially in Logan and Mingo counties, that folks need reliable internet service, and they need it now,” Senator Capito said. “As a rural state, innovative partnerships like this one between AEP and GigaBeam are crucial to quickly connecting West Virginians at a lower cost, and it’s why I’ve worked closely with them to support this broadband deployment project. Today’s launch means we are one step closer to accomplishing our shared goal of connecting all West Virginians, whether it’s at home, at work, at school, or elsewhere. I look forward to not only seeing the tangible impacts of this project in southern West Virginia, but also to continue working in Congress to pass legislation that would replicate this middle-mile model for underserved areas across our state and country.”
“We thank Senator Capito for her many years of leadership to expand broadband access in rural America, and we greatly appreciate her ongoing efforts to solve the digital divide,” Chris Beam, Appalachian Power president and COO, said.
BACKGROUND ON THE PROJECT:
By building middle-mile backhaul on existing electric grid infrastructure, the partnership in Logan and Mingo counties will bring Fiber-to-the-Home and wireless service to:
· 13,019 unserved residences
· 218 unserved businesses
· 130 unserved churches
· 16 unserved educational institutions
· 32 unserved government buildings
· 6 unserved health care facilities
· 11 unserved utility sites
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:
Through her Capito Connect plan, her work as a co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, and her leadership on both the Senate Commerce and Appropriations Committees, Senator Capito has long made improving access to broadband in West Virginia and across the country a priority. As former chair of the Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and a current member of the Commerce Committee, Senator Capito has worked closely with the FCC, along with officials across multiple administration’s, to help close the digital divide. As a current member of the Committee on Appropriations, Senator Capito continues to work diligently to secure funding for critical broadband-related programs.
Additionally, as the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, Senator Capito led the initial negotiations with President Biden that began the process resulting in the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law at the end of last year. Through this law, West Virginia is slated to receive a significant amount of funding to help bridge the digital divide.
Photos from the visit included below:
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| U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) listens during a fiber demonstration at the launch of the Logan and Mingo County broadband project in Chapmanville, W.Va. on Friday, July 29, 2022. |
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| U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) with business leaders and local officials at the launch of the Logan and Mingo County broadband project in Chapmanville, W.Va. on Friday, July 29, 2022. |
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| U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) speaks during the launch of the Logan and Mingo County broadband project in Chapmanville, W.Va. on Friday, July 29, 2022. |
