CHARLESTON – West Virginia members of the Communications Workers of America will hold a press conference 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, to discuss the urgent need to begin a massive, $1.2 billion broadband expansion program that has been unjustly delayed.

“Thousands of West Virginians stand to benefit from critically needed connectivity, and this broadband project is all ready to go, but for some reason, everything is at a standstill,” noted Elaine Harris, CWA International Staff Representative - District 2-13. “This is too important to every aspect of our lives – our economy, educational system,health care availability, just general quality of life -- to be stalled.”

State and county commission representatives, including local officials whose areas would be affected, will join union members and others to talk about the need for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which was only six weeks away from federal approval when it was stopped earlier this year.

• WHAT: Press conference on the delay of the BEAD connectivity expansion program
• WHEN: 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2025
• WHERE: Lower rotunda of the State Capitol Building (ground floor)