Concerns shared about rural internet service
KINGWOOD — U.S. Senator Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.Va., stopped Friday at the Preston County Inn.
The Senator was on her way to Bruceton Mills to observe how Prodigi connects its services to local residents and businesses.
On the way, she stopped by to have lunch and discuss some of the problems and successes Kingwood has faced due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mayor Jean Guillot talked about how the city’s one-percent sales tax helped officials purchase a new street sweeper and a police vehicle.
“We transferred $50,000 of it over into our dilapidated building fund,” Guillot said. “The dilapidated building problem is a challenging one, because they (dilapidated buildings) devaluate all of the property around them.”
He said some of the tax money was also used to “prop up” Parks and Recreation due to the lack of use of the Civic Center and the lower attendance at the pool. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, weddings, skating and other events were held at the center.
Guillot said the town is also in the process of hiring an additional police officer. This will bring the number up to four officers.
“While some towns are defunding their police departments, we are updating ours,” Guillot said. “I think it helps to have a police presence. I believe we are better with more.”
Capito and Guillot also discussed local internet service.
Guillot said money from the CARES Act was used to purchase equipment to stream city council meetings. He said the city teamed up with the county commission to obtain the funds.
“I’m concerned about connectivity in Preston County,” Capito said.
She said a Rural Development Partnership with Prodigy resulted in the company receiving a $3 million grant to provide services to rural areas.
Capito said the grant would provide service to 1,300 households. She also said some free hotspots have been set up by Prodigi.
The hotspots, in Preston High, East Preston and Bruceton school districts can be found at the Pisgah United Methodist Church, Hopewell Union Church, Bruceton-Brandonville Volunteer Fire Department, Little Sandy Church of the Nazarene, Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church, Kingwood VFD at the Ticket Booth, Terra Alta Town Hall, and near the History House on Washington Avenue.
“If we can talk to someone on the moon, we can get around the mountains,” Capito said.
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