South Charleston is the latest West Virginia community to embrace the economic development and quality of life potential of wireless broadband access. Mayor Frank Mullens shared the plans last week. The project is estimated to cost approximately $69,000 and will cover four business districts.

South Charleston joins a handful of other communities, such as the East End of Charleston and Wheeling, with some variation on public wi-fi access.

At the Governor’s Conference on Tourism today at Glade Springs Resort, a great deal of discussion from tourism leaders centered on the need for widespread broadband and wi-fi access across the state, including rural areas and state parks. Elmer Coppoolse, CEO of EMCO Hospitality (the management group for Glade Springs), stated passionately in his welcome remarks: “West Virginia needs to get serious about broadband and wireless Internet access. Our guests and corporate meeting clients demand it. West Virginia needs to make a good impression in this area so they know they will always be connected while enjoying West Virginia’s amazing scenery.”

When will West Virginia step up with an aggressive statewide broadband plan similar to Kentucky’s? Hopes are pinned to the Governor’s partnership with Cisco Systems and Verizon’s agreement to deliver a thorough study of broadband availability across the state.