Generation West Virginia (GWV) is pleased to announce the completion of digital equity plans for 18 counties throughout West Virginia. These plans, created through collaboration with community members, are intended to improve digital access, affordability, and skills based on each community’s needs. Plans have been created for the following counties: Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Gilmer, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Roane, Summers, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt, and Wyoming.
The digital equity plans aim to equip local stakeholders with resources and tools to address gaps in broadband access and improve digital literacy in their communities. This work was made possible through funding by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) through the Connect Humanity Appalachia Digital Accelerator project. Partners in this project include the West Virginia Department of Economic Development Office of Broadband Digital Equity Team, local Digital Equity Steering Committees, and Regional Optical Communications.
“The people on the ground, in the community, are the ones who most keenly feel and understand the barriers, and often, have the best ideas on how to address them. This project gives county partners the tools they need to find funds for expanding digital inclusion efforts on the local level,” said Annie Stroud, GWV Broadband Director.
The Digital Equity Plans will provide these counties with a comprehensive guide for expanding digital inclusion programs and applying for necessary state and federal funding. A key opportunity will be Digital Equity Subgrants, which are expected to be available through the West Virginia Office of Broadband in Early 2025. These plans offer a roadmap for communities to improve their broadband infrastructure and bridge the digital divide, ultimately helping counties develop strategic yet sustainable solutions.
“By addressing local barriers to internet adoption with local solutions, city or county level digital equity plans are an important part of closing the digital divide. As the West Virginia Office of Broadband is preparing to allocate $1.2 billion in federal funding toward broadband infrastructure, I’m thrilled that our state is finalizing 18 county-level digital equity plans to sustain digital inclusion projects for years to come,” said Derek Zelkowski, Digital Equity Officer for the WV Office of Broadband.
To create these plans, the GWV team supported the creation of county-level Digital Equity Steering Committees and hosted planning sessions in each county. Results from these meetings played a key role in shaping the plans, drawing from local insights to assess the current state of broadband access and digital literacy within their respective communities. The committees helped identify the unique challenges within their communities and develop relationships between key local stakeholders to address them.
Each digital equity plan and a two-page factsheet for each county are available at generatiowv.org/digital-equity. Generation West Virginia will continue working with these communities to carry out the activities in their plans. This includes providing continued technical assistance and grant writing support.
About Generation WV:
Generation West Virginia equips young West Virginians with key skills and career opportunities, ensuring their ability to thrive in the Mountain State. By connecting young adults with resources, opportunities, and each other through workforce development initiatives, GWV is committed to building a stronger, more prosperous West Virginia for generations to come. To learn more, visit www.generationwv.org.