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The third time proved to be a charm. On its third attempt in three years to garner grant funding from the Virginia Office of Broadband, Rockbridge County was successful in securing nearly $2.2 million to extend high-speed internet service to certain remote parts of the county.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced last week that Rockbridge County would receive this funding through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative. With the county’s matching funds of $2,629,529 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and the county’s broadband partners contributing $3,964,953, more than $8.7 million will be available to extend high-speed internet service to nearly 2,000 locations in certain parts of the county. The county unsuccessfully applied for VATI grants in 2022 and 2023.
“I cannot describe how difficult it was to receive that unfortunate news two years in a row, which is what makes this announcement so welcomed,” said Rockbridge County Administrator Spencer Suter. “We submitted solid applications those years but just did not make the cut, mainly due to the cost per passing. We live in such a beautiful place, but building fiber in mountains and through rock is a costly business, and the cost per passing was a major component in application scoring.”
Two grants were awarded for the county and its partners, BARC Connects and Brightspeed. The BARC grant will extend its fiber broadband network to at least 283 unserved or underserved residences and businesses. The Brightspeed award will extend the service to more than 1,700 locations.
A third 2024 application with partner Verizon was not successful. The unsuccessful application was for funding to extend fiber broadband coverage to 101 unserved or underserved residences and businesses in the Vesuvius area.
“As a Board, we are committed to ensuring that every student, every business and every home in Rockbridge County has access to quality, reliable, high-speed internet,” said supervisors Chair Leslie Ayers. “As we work toward completing the awarded projects in other areas of the county, we will continue to seek funding for Vesuvius.”
Suter said the county is already in discussions with Verizon to support applications for funding available under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD), which represents the next major funding source for broadband deployment.
The county has also applied for a United States Department of Agriculture grant in partnership with BARC and is awaiting word on whether this federal grant will be awarded.
“Throughout the process, we have had amazing support from so many angles,” Suter continued. “When we were notified that internet speed tests were needed to demonstrate real internet deficiencies, our residents achieved one of best participation rates in the commonwealth. When we needed support from the Board of Supervisors, we got it. When we needed advocacy in Richmond, Delegates Terry Austin and Ellen Campbell went to bat for us in a big way. BARC, Brightspeed and Verizon were, and continue to be our able and collaborative partners. It will take time, but we are moving ahead and will work together to execute the plan.”
“With this additional investment from the state and Rockbridge County, our high speed network will reach more than 1,700 homes and businesses in central, northwestern and southeastern Rockbridge County,” said Chris Dillon, Brightspeed government affairs and public policy director, “giving residents and business owners the high-speed connectivity they need to thrive in today’s connected world. We are grateful to the leaders in Rockbridge County who are committed to helping us bridge the digital divide.”
BARC CEO Bill Buchanan commented, “BARC has partnered with Rockbridge County for a very long time, in many ways, and our close working relationship was critical in ensuring success in this highly competitive grant application round. We are proud to be a part of this community and are committed to doing our part in ensuring that every home is connected.”
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission is partnering with the county to assist in grant management.
