Broadband
GWV Broadband empowers local leaders to bridge the digital divide, ensuring every West Virginian has the connection, skills, and tools they need to thrive in a modern world.
Connection = Opportunity
Broadband is more than just a connection—it’s a gateway to opportunity. It’s how we learn, how we stay healthy, and how we build the careers of the future. Yet, for too many of our neighbors, the digital divide remains a barrier to that success.
GWV Broadband is bridging that gap. Whether it’s reliable infrastructure, tech training, or access to devices, we help communities clear the path forward. We partner with local leaders to provide the guidance and support local organizations need to lead—from securing resources to building essential digital skills. Together, we are reducing barriers, fostering innovation, and ensuring that every West Virginian has the digital tools to thrive in today’s world.
WV Connected Communities Network
Community Plans
Let’s Work Together
Our Impact
2023 statewide
broadband
study REPORT
Generation West Virginia is proud to be a part of this initiative, working towards closing the digital divide. Find your county maps and the full study here.
Our Story: Laying the Groundwork for Local Solutions
Since its start, the GWV Broadband Program has worked to identify and close the gaps in broadband access that keep West Virginians from fully participating in today’s world. Our work began with a successful technical assistance model that helped local communities secure over $45 million for high-speed connectivity. As our state’s needs have evolved, so have we—moving beyond ‘lines in the ground’ to ensure every neighbor also has the devices, training, and affordable access they need to thrive. Explore the timeline of our work and its impact on our communities below.
WV Connected Communities Network: Building on planning and local initiatives like the WV Office of Broadband Pilot Programs, the GWV Northstar Pilot, and library device lending, GWV launched the WV Connected Communities Network to connect stakeholders, providers, agencies, and community members to share updates, learn, and collaborate on broadband, digital skills, and workforce development across the state.
Telehealth Planning Strategy Technical Assistance: Thanks to funding from the USDA Broadband Technical Assistance Program, GWV is working with four rural health systems in a planning process to strengthen telehealth access for their patients. Through March 2026, this initiative will help them develop comprehensive telehealth plans, identify gaps, build implementation budgets, and prepare for federal and non-federal funding opportunities, supporting expanded care access across West Virginia.
Digital Literacy Pilot: Northstar: What began with two pilot locations in 2025 has now expanded to five, partnering with libraries and workforce development organizations to grow digital literacy across West Virginia. Through the Northstar Digital Literacy platform, GWV provides curriculum access, instructor onboarding and training, monthly support meetings, train-the-trainer opportunities, and shared resources. The goal is simple: expand high-quality digital skills training and increase access to opportunity statewide.
Partnership with American Connection Corps: Generation West Virginia launched its partnership with the American Connection Corps by welcoming its first AmeriCorps member to support broadband infrastructure and digital inclusion efforts across the state. Through this collaboration, rural and distressed communities received hands-on support for local planning, digital skills training, and capacity building—including a statewide webinar series and Northstar Instructor Trainings. This partnership continues with GWV hosting two ACC members in 2025/2026.
Seeding Success: A strategic investment from Microsoft Airband enabled GWV to expand our technical assistance across the state. As one of the first Airband partnerships in Appalachia, this initiative was built on the belief that digital tools are essential for the success of our communities. This funding allowed us to equip local leaders with the grant-writing expertise needed to secure infrastructure, while also supporting the digital literacy programs that help West Virginians thrive in a connected world.
Connectivity Planning Appalachia Digital Accelerator: As part of Connect Humanity’s ARC ARISE project, the Appalachia Digital Accelerator, Generation West Virginia partnered with the WV Office of Broadband and Regional Optical Communications and proudly worked alongside leaders in 18 West Virginia counties to develop locally driven Digital Equity Plans focused on improving internet access, affordability, and digital skills. Shaped by community input, these plans position counties to secure partnerships and funding that will move digital inclusion efforts forward across the state
Statewide Broadband Study Report: Ranked as one of the two least connected states in the nation, West Virginia faces significant work to close the digital divide. Regional Optical Communications (ROC), working with Thrasher Group, GWV, and Lit Communities, completed a statewide broadband study examining every serviceable address and mapping routes to bring fiber to each one. With over 14,800 miles of preliminary fiber routes identified, this study lays the groundwork for reliable, high-speed internet across the state. Generation West Virginia is proud to have been part of this effort to expand digital access. Explore your county maps and the full study here.
Infrastructure TA Wins: In partnership with the Regional Planning and Development Councils, Office of Broadband, Benedum Foundation, and our consultant team, GWV successfully secured over $45 million in high-speed infrastructure investment, laying the literal groundwork for a connected state. These projects are set to reach over 30,498 households, impacting 15 West Virginia counties. Supported by JTF /Benedum
Capacity Boost: The Just Transition Fund provided operational funding to support the first full time Broadband Director position and boost organizational capacity to expand the reach of the Locally Driven Broadband Solutions project statewide.
Benedum 75th Investment: Locally Driven Broadband Solutions: In 2021, thanks to historic investment from the Claude W Benedum Foundation, Generation West Virginia (GWV) expanded its Locally Driven Broadband Solutions project, building on the success of its initial pilot. Launched as a third 75th anniversary initiative, GWV worked closely with Regional Planning and Development Councils, the WV Broadband Office, Broadband Enhancement Council and committed community leaders to provide tailored technical assistance for broadband infrastructure and access projects. By offering wrap-around support like navigating the processes of grant writing, strategic planning, partnerships, GWV was able to help communities overcome barriers to broadband access and begin creating tangible change across West Virginia. View Report Here
Identifying The Problem: With support from the Benedum Foundation, GWV launched the first Locally Driven Broadband Solutions initiative to uncover what was holding West Virginia back. Focusing on the Mon Forest and Hatfield-McCoy regions, we worked with the Regional Planning and Development Councils to identify the “technical gaps” that often stall progress such as navigating complex grant deadlines and engineering needs to brokering vital partnerships with internet providers. GWV also gathered broadband stories from across the state to ensure the path forward was built on the real-life experiences of our communities.
Broadband Legislation: Generation WV supported the passing of broadband policy and the setting up of the next phase of the broadband council. Part of this legislation included enabling legislation for broadband cooperatives.
Connect With Us!
Sign up for our monthly newsletterAccess Matters: WV Digital Opportunity Update to get meeting reminders, learn about the great work happening in West Virginia communities, and stay updated on resources, funding opportunities, and educational events across the state.
If you’re looking to also sign up for statewide calls, after joining you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join quarterly Zoom meetings. By subscribing to Access Matters: WV Digital Opportunity Update you will also receive the GWV Newsletter. This email list will only be used by Generation West Virginia to maintain these services, The list will not be sold, traded, or used for commercial purposes.
