As part of a tour of Central Virginia, Sen. Mark Warner’s office organized a roundtable discussion in Bedford County that focused specifically on broadband.
There was a strong turnout at the event on April 13 at the Goode Rescue Squad, with approximately 40 people gathering to hear from Warner and ask questions. The individuals represented a range of regional organizations, businesses and Internet Service Providers.
Several members of the Bedford County Board of Supervisors were there for the conversation, including Edgar Tuck (District 2), who delivered opening remarks.
“We are committed to developing a broadband infrastructure that will achieve universal coverage for our population, through all means available,” Tuck said.
According to Warner, the vast majority of funding for broadband will come from the infrastructure bill that was passed last July. The measure will provide $65 billion to expand high-speed internet access.
He also spoke about the $700 million in American Rescue Plan funding that was announced last year by former Governor Ralph Northam, which will expedite the deployment of last-mile broadband infrastructure to unserved areas.
“Broadband used to be viewed as ‘nice to have.’ But now, one lesson I hope we have all learned is that broadband is an economic necessity,” said Warner. “Having it doesn’t guarantee you success, but not having it means you are not going to be able to attract the kind of business growth you want.”
At the end of 2021, Bedford County, in partnership with three Internet Service Provider partners, was awarded multiple grants totaling more than $25 million from the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) in the County’s ongoing efforts to achieve functional universal broadband coverage. Those three partners are Shentel, Zitel and Riverstreet. The VATI grant funds will leverage approximately $30 million in matching funds.
These funds will help bring reliable, high-speed internet service to at least 11,932 serviceable units that are currently unserved or underserved by broadband in Bedford County.
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