Federal broadband funding pause causing concern in West Virginia

West Virginia’s final proposal for use of millions in federal broadband funding remains on pause as state officials review that plan and brace for changes to the program under President Trump, but there is concern that the program will favor satellite over fiber broadband. The Grant County Commission recently wrote a letter to Gov. Patrick Morrisey expressing support for fiber broadband projects—sometimes called Fiber to the Home—versus satellite internet services. “After careful consideration of the region’s unique geography, social-economic needs, and long-term development goals, it is evident that FTTH provides a more sustainable, equitable, and high-performance option for our community,” wrote Grant County Commission President Kevin Hagerty and commissioners Scotty Miley and Tyson Riggleman. In their letter, the Grant County Commission said changes to BEAD should not focus on Starlink or other satellite internet carriers over connecting homes and businesses to fiber broadband.