BACKGROUND
Future Generations has launched the West Virginia Broadband Opportunities Program, funded by the 2009 American Recovery Investment Act, to leverage community social networks as a means of stimulating broadband adoption among low-income and predominantly rural communities across West Virginia. This innovative project will extend computer and broadband access and relevant life skills training through West Virginia’s most widespread de facto community centers: volunteer fire and emergency rescue stations. The project will equip 60 squads throughout the state with Computer Learning Centers, train over 37,000 people in skills that make broadband relevant to families and public safety organizations, and increase broadband subscribership by 12,700 households and businesses during the life of the program.
