An idea builds momentum when others start emulating it. Such is the case with states finding innovate ways to get high-speed Internet to their residents. Across the nation, states are recognizing the critical importance of the Internet and broadband access. Not for a few, but for everyone.

As I’ve written before, ConnectKentucky is well on the way to delivering broadband access to every community and every resident in that state.

Now West Virginia has joined the effort to make sure its citizens can take advantage of today’s innovative technology and has a major initiative underway which includes a drive to ensure all West Virginia’s have broadband access by 2010. According to its own reports, West Virginia currently ranks below the national average in both access and subscriptions to high-speed Internet.

The state is looking to do something about that situation, says Kyle Schafer, the state’s chief technology officer, who talked about West Virginia’s multi-pronged approach in a recent Charleston Daily Mail article.

Schafer recognizes that it will take at least three years to make broadband access available to all West Virginians. The state is working in partnership with companies like Cisco and Verizon because private industry needs to make the investments necessary to build these networks.

The initiative goes beyond just broadband access – as part of its efforts to bring today’s technology to its citizens, the state is also working to have a computer in every home. West Virginia ranks 45th in the nation in the number of personal computers in the home.

Schafer also notes that the state itself – in the form of its local governments – needs to shape us as well; many agencies and governments have no or limited online presence. That means residents are still standing in line rather than going online to renew their driver’s licenses or to get a nursing license.

The next generation of the Internet promises even more breakthroughs in the way we live – from telemedicine to telecommuting to distance education – and we need a base of broadband access to ensure everyone is able to make the transition.

It will take enormous effort to bring about these changes, but West Virginia is certainly heading in the right direction.

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