Sen Capito (R-WV), West Virginia state leaders welcome Facebook to WV for Major Technology Investment

Sen Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Gov Jim Justice (R-WV) joined representatives from Facebook for an annuncement regarding Facebook’s plans to build a fiber optic cable that will run through parts of West Virginia. The project is expected to begin in 2019 and will result in an approximate 275-mile route in West Virginia, providing the state with enhanced fiber optic connectivity. “Today’s announcement with Facebook is an important step toward ensuring our state has the critical infrastructure to support broadband deployment, and I know it will help so many in our state, especially the rural communities that are unserved," said Sen Capito. The construction, which is expected to last roughly 18 to 24 months, will begin in Ashburn (VA) and end in Columbus (OH) connecting two major internet exchanges. As a result of the project, broadband providers will be able to expand middle-mile networks into communities along the route, and it will establish West Virginia as a preferred route for fiber backbone construction.