Broadband
BY ROBERT HINTON. West
Virginia significantly trails
its neighboring states and
global competitors when it
comes to scalable and reli-
able broadband access, but
without the appropriate infra-
structure, the Mountain State will
not achieve superior broadband con-
nectivity. The global transition to a da-
ta-driven economy coupled with increas-
ing mobility requires the development
of broadband infrastructure systems
that support economic growth in a dig-
ital world.
Businesses of all types and sizes re-
quire infrastructure systems to be prof-
itable and successful. Along with coal
mining and other major industries, the
state’s small businesses, enterprises and
institutions also rely on a dependable
broadband connection to conduct busi-
ness efficiently. West Virginia must en-
courage internet service providers to
develop broadband infrastructure and im-
prove connectivity through the creation of
Construction
policies and regulations
that recognize broad-
band as essential.
West Virginia has sig-
nificant opportunities to
accelerate the expansion of
broadband infrastructure at
little or no cost. Access to state-
owned highway rights-of-way is critical
for both regulated utilities and non-rate
regulated broadband service providers.
Along with the pursuit of middle-mile and
last-mile fiber expansion, the state must
attract Tier I networks and long-haul fiber
carriers to build the infrastructure needed
to reach residential and business custom-
ers and reduce the lower-tiered carriers’
ability to competitively access internet
exchange points and connect networks.
To attract broadband infrastructure
investment, the Mountain State must
utilize available assets, such as its prox-
imity to major internet exchanges and
existing highway infrastructure systems,
ultimately leading to a more connected
West Virginia.
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52
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
BY MIKE CLOWSER. Between January and
December 2017, construction jobs in the
Mountain State grew by 4,300. These im-
proving construction numbers have come
from several sectors of the state’s economy,
including construction activity result-
ing from new funding for
the West Virginia Di-
vision of Highways
and Governor Jim
Justice’s Roads to
Prosperity bond
amendment
passed by voters
last fall. These
two initiatives will
provide $2.8 billion
statewide for road and
bridge projects. Engineering and con-
struction firms have already begun hiring
people to work on these projects. Those
supplying the industry—equipment deal-
ers, steel and other material suppliers and
aggregate producers—are also hiring.
Multiple natural gas pipeline projects
are also underway in the state. Many con-
tractor, subcontractor, engineering and
supplier members of the Contractors As-
sociation of West Virginia (CAWV) are
working in the oil and gas industry, de-
signing and constructing well pads, reten-
tion ponds, access roads and water lines.
For the first time in a number of years,
CAWV members are also going back to
work in the coal industry, performing
mine face-ups and working on coal haul
roads and other coal-related activities.
While the state’s construction indus-
try as a whole has greatly improved in
the past few years, the majority of the
growth revolves around North Central
West Virginia. Hospitals, office buildings
and retail and educational facilities be-
tween Clarksburg and Morgantown are
keeping the industry busy. Construction
activity is also picking up in the Eastern
Panhandle with manufacturing facilities
such as Procter & Gamble, ROCKWOOL
and TeMa North America creating the
need for support facilities.
West Virginia’s continued economic
upturn and improved transportation
system will have a ripple effect as compa-
nies move to or expand into the Mountain
State. This will create jobs as contractors
build to meet the demand.