Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced more than $59.5 million in grants through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) for 14 projects serving 20 localities throughout Virginia. The VATI program provides targeted funding to extend service to areas that are presently underserved by any broadband provider.    “In today’s increasingly digital world, having access to high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury, it is necessary in order to fully participate in daily life,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “These investments will allow us to reach underserved communities, grow Virginia’s economy and close the digital divide across the Commonwealth.”    The goal of VATI is to create strong, competitive communities throughout the Commonwealth by preparing those communities to build, utilize, and capitalize on telecommunications infrastructure. This year’s funding leverages more than $118.6 million in local and private sector matching funds.  “Closing the digital divide is paramount to growing Virginia’s economy, supporting businesses and ensuring that all Virginians have the resources they need to thrive,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “These investments will connect over 29,400 homes, businesses and community anchors, making critical strides toward achieving universal broadband in Virginia.”   The Department of Housing and Community Development administers the VATI program, which provides targeted financial assistance to extend broadband service to areas that are currently unserved by a provider. Projects were selected through a competitive process that evaluated each project for demonstrated need and benefit for the community, applicant readiness and capacity, and the cost and leverage of the proposed project. The level of funding awarded is based on the infrastructure needs in the project area.   In this application year, VATI received 35 applications requesting more than $300 million in funding. Since 2017, Virginia has invested more than $798.7 million to connect over 358,000 homes, businesses and community anchors within 84 localities. Additional information on VATI is available here. Locality/Organization Project Name Award Essex County  Essex County VATI 2023 $8,753,009 Southside Planning District Commission  Regional Fiber Broadband Project Phase 2 $8,556,028.84 West Piedmont Planning District Commission 2023 WPPDC East Universal Broadband Project $8,155,864 Caroline County  VATI 2023 Eastern Caroline $6,446,000 Shenandoah County  Shenandoah County VATI Broadband Grant Application 2023 $4,936,968 West Piedmont Planning District Commission 2023 WPPDC Pittsylvania County Universal Broadband Project $3,548,250 Greensville County  Greensville County - Verizon FY23 VATI Project $2,956,774.80 Orange County  Orange County FiberLync VATI FY23 Project $2,181,000 Caroline County  VATI 2023 Western Caroline $2,032,334 Bedford County  Bedford County and Shentel 2023 VATI Grant Application $1,373,161.74 Floyd County  Floyd County: Extending Fiber Along Private Roads and Apartments $1,339,387 Chesterfield County  Chesterfield VA VATI 2023 Application $755,523 Henrico County  Henrico County Universal Broadband Project $501,620 West Piedmont Planning District Commission 2023 West Piedmont Planning District Commission West Universal Broadband Project (Letter of Intent) $8,013,600   TOTAL: $59,549,520.38