Federal Broadband Funding Approved For W.Va.

Federal officials have approved West Virginia’s broadband development plan. 

Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment funding (BEAD) will be used to connect more than 73,000 locations across West Virginia to reliable high speed internet services.

According to data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), West Virginia ranks last in the nation for fixed broadband connectivity.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Friday the announcement is a major step forward in expanding opportunity and supporting long-term economic growth across the state.

“It fits in with our entire strategy of trying to drive energy development up and to improve rural health care,” Morrisey said. “And to just generally make sure that we’re taking advantage of all the opportunities we have in the modern economy.”

BEAD funds have been promised for the state since 2023, but have been continually delayed, most recently after the Trump administration announced a review of the program in March.

Approval of the state’s plan by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the organization that oversees BEAD funding, is a major step toward connecting all West Virginians to broadband. 

Arielle Roth, NTIA assistant secretary for communications and information and administrator, congratulated the state on the achievement.

“I appreciate the work of Gov. Morrisey, West Virginia’s Office of Broadband and the providers across the state for truly sharpening their pencils and delivering for their state,” she said.

But Morrisey stressed that there is still work ahead.  

“We’re going to continue working closely with the Trump administration and NTIA to ensure that this is just the beginning,” he said. “With additional investments in energy, health care and technology, West Virginia is positioned to use this new broadband access to make major strides in our standard of living and economic strength.”

Leaders React

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., has made broadband expansion a key focus of her Congressional efforts in recent years. She publicly expressed concern that West Virginia would be required to redo significant portions of their application during the Trump administration’s review to “cut government red tape” from the BEAD program earlier this year. 

Friday she said West Virginia is another step closer to better-connecting our homes, businesses and classrooms across the state.

“This means I have had dozens of conversations with the Administration and our state officials, and while there is still a long road ahead to getting more West Virginians connected, we are well on our way with today’s announcement,” Capito said. “I look forward to continuing to help our state in any way that I can as the plan moves its way through the approval process at NIST.”

Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., expressed similar optimism about the announced approval. As governor, Justice oversaw the state’s initial BEAD application, as well as earlier broadband expansion efforts like the Line Extension Advancement and Development, or LEAD program.

“We’ve made huge strides in bringing high-quality broadband access to West Virginia, and getting our communities connected to high-speed internet means everything,” he said. “This funding is an absolute gamechanger and will cover thousands of locations throughout the state, fostering new opportunities, jobs, education, and investment.”