WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. on Friday announced the initial schedule for her statewide "Capito Connect" listening tour in West Virginia.
As part of the Capito Connect Plan announced last month, Capito urged West Virginians to attend a listening session, and share their comments and suggestions for improving broadband access in the Mountain State.
"Equipping our state with the broadband infrastructure needed to compete and thrive in today's economy is one of my top priorities," said Capito. "While traveling across the state and meeting with constituents, I hear repeated frustration about the lack of connectivity. I hope West Virginians will use the listening sessions as an opportunity to share suggestions for bringing broadband up to speed in the Mountain State."
Members of Capito's staff will be available to speak with West Virginians during the following sessions of the Capito Connect listening tour:
Brooke County Courthouse, 632 Main St., Wellsburg, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 14
Hancock County Courthouse, 102 Court St., New Cumberland, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., July 16
Ohio County Courthouse, Room 15, 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., July 28
The dates of these events are subject to change, according to representatives with Capito's office. Updates can be found online at www.capito.senate.gov.
Also Friday, Capito released a guidebook, "Broadband Funding Opportunities for West Virginia Communities: A Guide to Federal Resources for Broadband Expansion and Improvement," which contains information about federal programs focused on the development of high-speed Internet access.
The Capito Connect Plan calls for collaboration between government and the private sector, and this guidebook is planned to serve as a resource for fostering partnerships that will help bridge the broadband gap in West Virginia.
