Technical Assistance:

In partnership with the Appalachian Transportation Institute, the West Virginia GIS Technical Center, and the Regional Planning Councils, the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey proposes to undertake community-level research to assess and investigate areas with low broadband adoption rates and then develop a statewide plan to improve broadband adoption. These organizations will also provide direct technical assistance to the regional planning teams that are proposed below, as well as to individual municipalities that may, for example, require a cost modeling assessment in order to apply for a grant or loan.

Local Regional Technology Planning Teams:

This funding will support local planning groups in each of the 11 West Virginia planning and development regions. Each planning and development region currenlty hosts a regional council that will work with stakeholders to develop a broadband awareness and adoption plan. As part of this work, each regional council will administer and analyze a survey designed to assess the opportunities for broadband-based economic development.

Data Collection, Integration, and Validation:

This project was originally funded for broadband planning activities and two years of data collection. In September of 2010, this project was amended to extend data collection activities for an additional three years and to identify and implement best practices.