PHOTOS: Capito Visits Morgantown Historic Post Office, Celebrates Wetzel County Broadband Dedication

NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today made stops in Morgantown, W.Va. and New Martinsville, W.Va. focused on economic development and broadband expansion.

First, Senator Capito traveled to Morgantown, W.Va. to visit the Historic Post Office (HPO). During the visit, Senator Capito toured the space and learned more about how they are promoting local economic development and their plans to make improvements with a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) award Senator Capito secured.

"It is great to see a building like the Historic Morgantown Post Office, which has such historic significance, continue to be utilized in the city," Senator Capito said. "Through my role on the Appropriations Committee, I was able to secure funds to help support the building's renovations. With these improvements, I am confident that more opportunities will open up for the HPO and Morgantown, and I look forward to seeing the city grow."

Later, Senator Capito traveled to New Martinsville, W.Va. to attend the dedication of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ReConnect broadband project. This project will provide 87 miles of broadband internet fiber across Wetzel County, along a route that will include most of the homes and businesses along Route 20 and Route 7, up to Hundred, W.Va. Senator Capito secured funding for this project through the appropriations process in 2019.

"I helped create the ReConnect program within the appropriations process because I saw the need to close the digital divide in rural America. I've continued to support ReConnect enthusiastically because USDA uniquely understands the difficulties associated with implementing broadband in rural areas and is better equipped to tackle those issues head-on. Not only will this project help connect homes and businesses along an 87-mile route in Wetzel County, but it also demonstrates how the collaboration of local, state, and federal partners can lead to results that help West Virginia homes and businesses in need," Senator Capito said.

Photos from today's events are included below:

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) pictured in front of the Morgantown Historic Post Office in Morgantown, W.Va. on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participates in a dedication event for a USDA ReConnect broadband project in New Martinsville, W.Va. on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

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