Better Connecting Rural America by SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO Our nation has experienced a difficult year because of house, thanks to USDA’s Community Connect program. The the coronavirus pandemic, and this has forced Americans to Stemples are one of 1,300 households and approximately reckon with the digital divide in our country. 3,500 people in the proposed funded service area. With the new norm of telework, virtual learning, and The Community Connect Program has historically been telehealth appointments, affordable and reliable service is a utilized source of funding for broadband projects in the state; more critical than ever. however, between 2011 and 2015, there were no successful While we’ve seen progress, awards or applications submitted in too many West Virginians still lack the state. access to high speed broadband. Introducing state and local I’ve always said if we can governments to the federal communicate with humans on the opportunities available is an moon, surely we can find a way important part of my job, and it’s to deliver reliable broadband here a key part of the Capito Connect on Planet Earth. This is one of initiative. the reasons I launched my Capito Since the launch of my Capito Connect initiative in 2015 as a way to Connect initiative, both applications tackle this. and awards for the Community The three-part plan accomplishes Connect program have increased. this goal by understanding the In the last four years, multiple benefits of connectivity, fostering applications for funding have been collaboration between government submitted, and there have been four and the private sector, and promoting successful applications totaling economic growth through innovation. nearly $11 million. Since launching this initiative, I Now, Beverly and Jeff can have taken several steps to increase effectively work from home and connectivity and bridge the digital communicate online with loved ones If we can communicate divide. I’ve heard from thousands of who live far away. with humans on the West Virginians during a state-wide Coronavirus has also put a moon, surely we can listening tour, hosted roundtable premium on telehealth services. Just discussions, released a guidebook last week, I visited Lincoln Primary find a way to deliver to help communities understand Center (LPCC) that received an reliable broadband here Care the federal resources available, and FCC telehealth grant. With this grant, on Planet Earth. coached West Virginians on these LPCC was able to purchase telehealth opportunities. “terminals” – specialized computer The reality is that broadband stations for online checkups. in rural areas like West Virginia is extremely expensive Telehealth is reducing costs and improving outcomes and buildout takes more time to complete because of our for patients everywhere. Because of the pandemic, we better mountainous terrain. But even with these obstacles, I’ve been understand how important telehealth is to bring high-quality working to leverage federal resources to help produce this care directly to patients in their homes. infrastructure. So, what’s next? How can we build on this progress? The Trump Administration has made rural broadband a How do we apply the lessons we’ve learned during COVID priority, and several agencies have stepped up to the plate to to strengthen connectivity? help, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)and One major undertaking is improving broadband maps the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). with more granular data. Far too often, these maps show Last month, I was in rural Preston County witnessing the rural areas that are “covered,” but we know—by living in and installation of broadband service in Beverly and Jeff Stemple’s driving through these areas—that this is not the case. RIPON FORUM October 2020
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