WHEELING — Delegates Shawn Fluharty and Moore Capito want to start the Legislature talking about inspiring technology and innovation in West Virginia.

Fluharty, D-Ohio, and Capito, R-Kanawha, have teamed to form a bipartisan “Tech Caucus” for the 2020 regular legislative session, which starts in January.

The role of the caucus will be to raise awareness and highlight issues surrounding the startup economy, entrepreneurship and job creation in West Virginia. It will be open not just to lawmakers, but to the public as well.

Speakers with experience and expertise in technological innovation and entrepreneurship will address the caucus during the session, and discuss ways the state can promote business startups and job creation in West Virginia.

Fluharty and Capito will serve as co-chairmen of the caucus. Capito is the son of U.S. Sen. Shelley Capito, R-W.Va.

“I’ve built a good relationship across the aisle with Moore Capito, and we’re coming together in a bipartisan manner with the goal of working to diversify our economy and create opportunities for start-ups and innovators in the technological sector,” Fluharty said. “Young people are more mobile than ever and we understand the importance of selling West Virginia as not just a place for them to raise their families but also thrive in their careers.

“Our goal is to bring in leaders from across the country to meet with legislators so that we can do our part to make sure West Virginia is truly willing to compete in the 21st century. We’ve allowed others to pass us up and have not prioritized innovation and technology in this state. Delegate Capito and I understand the importance of competing in this ever-changing economy and plan to do all we can to attract and retain the best in brightest in order to position our state as a leader moving forward.”

He acknowledged those outside the state may not see West Virginia as a technological hub.

“The facts show we lag behind other states in a number of areas — including high-speed broadband access. Companies and those in tech careers don’t even see West Virginia as an option. We’re aiming to change that.”

U.S. Sen. Shelley Capito, in recent months, has been touting the need to improve and expand broadband access in West Virginia. Her son said he wants to ensure the state doesn’t lag behind in a developing industry.

“The startup economy is quickly changing the landscape for job creation around the world, and we want to make sure West Virginia doesn’t miss this critical opportunity,” Moore Capito said. “We want to send a clear message that the West Virginia Legislature is ready to partner with technology developers, entrepreneurs and innovators to diversify our economy, create jobs and launch businesses in our state.”