In the CSPDC January 2024 newsletter, we reported that Rockbridge County submitted three grant applications in December 2023 for the 2024 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) program. During this latest VATI application cycle, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) received 25 submissions seeking over $170M in funding. We are pleased to share that on July 24, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Rockbridge County received two awards totaling $2,173,185. The two projects include collaborative efforts involving BARC Connects and Brightspeed. The CSPDC will provide grant administrative services for each project.
The Rockbridge County and BARC Connects award consists of three projects providing high-speed internet to 404 premises located in remote areas with difficult topography in central and western portions of the county. The total estimated project budget is $2,988,568. The award totals $1,197,320 (40%) in VATI funding with BARC and Rockbridge County providing $1,791,248 (60%)in matching funds.
The Rockbridge County and Brightspeed award involves one project providing high-speed internet to 1,734 premises located in isolated stretches with challenging geography in central, northwestern, and southeastern areas of the county. The anticipated project cost is $5,914,332. The VATI award is $975,865 (17%). Brightspeed and Rockbridge County plan to provide a combined $4,938,467 (83%) in matching funds.
In the Governor’s Office press release, Governor Youngkin stated, “Virginia continues to be a national leader for closing the digital divide, and today’s announcement brings us one step closer to becoming the first state in the nation to reach statewide universal broadband coverage. In our increasingly digital world, having access to high-speed broadband isn’t a luxury, it’s a prerequisite to participate in daily life.”
A third submission involving Rockbridge County and Verizon was not selected for funding. The proposed project included plans to provide broadband to 85 locations/101 premises in a rural area of northeastern Rockbridge County with particularly difficult topography. The total estimated budget is $2,429,768. In the Rockbridge County press release, County Administrator Spencer Suter stated, “We are already in discussion with Verizon, which serves the Vesuvius area, to support applications for funding available under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which represents the next major funding source for broadband deployment.”