In late October, BARC Connects received a $4.4 million grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Community Connect Program to install a fiber-to-the-premises system in Rockbridge County. The project will provide high-speed internet access to 816 residents and four businesses, focusing on the Collierstown/Effinger area.
Subscribers will enjoy symmetrical internet speeds of up to 1000 Mbps. Additionally, two public computer workstations will be installed at the Lake Robertson recreation area, offering free internet access to the community for at least two years.
According to the USDA, the Community Connect Program “helps bring high-speed internet service to areas where it is least likely to be commercially available but can make a tremendous difference in quality of life. The projects funded by these grants help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the internet for individual and community development.”
This funding builds on $2 million in grants awarded in July through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) to Rockbridge County. The VATI projects include collaborative efforts involving BARC Connects and Brightspeed. The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission will serve as the grant administrator for both projects.
These investments highlight ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide in rural areas, ensuring residents and businesses in Rockbridge County have access to reliable, high-speed internet.