The expansion of broadband and cellular access in West Virginia will notably improve safety and economics along its water trails, say officials with the state flatwater trail commission.
Bill Currey, president of the commission, says expanding access won’t just bolster tourism—it could save tourists from potentially dangerous situations.
“Flatwater trail areas need broadband badly. We’re growing the business so fast that there are so many people on the river who could get in trouble,” Currey said.
“The value of our water trail," he added, using the Coal River Water Trail as an example, "is that it’s in rural, isolated areas, and part of that trouble is that those areas don’t have broadband or cell service.”
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