Governor Northam Announces Broadband Expansion to Connect More Than 36,200 Homes, Businesses, and Community Groups

$18.3 million in Virginia Telecommunication Initiative grants awarded to support 12 projects

CHARLES CITY—Governor Ralph Northam today announced more than $18.3 million in grants through the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) to support 12 projects across Virginia. These projects leverage over $35 million in local and private matching funds and will connect approximately 36,000 households, including thousands of businesses and community anchor institutions. The VATI program provides targeted funding to extend service to areas that are presently unserved by any broadband provider. The Governor made the announcement at the Charles City branch of the Heritage Public Library, where he presented local officials with a check for one of the awarded projects.

“Broadband is a necessity for communities to attract business, for students to use educational resources, and for Virginians to receive healthcare through telemedicine,” said Governor Northam. “My administration is committed to expanding broadband access to every part of Virginia, so that all of our citizens have access to the opportunities that connectivity make possible.”

Governor Northam’s proposed budget adds an additional $16 million a year on top of the $19 million allocated annually last year, bringing the total investment to $35 million each year to further expand broadband in the Commonwealth.

The VATI program is a state-funded program administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). 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.

“VATI is a key resource we are utilizing to expand broadband access to all Virginians,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “This funding will contribute significantly to the number of residents across the Commonwealth that are able to live and work more efficiently thanks to broadband connectivity.”

Projects were selected through a competitive process evaluating 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 areas.

DHCD allocated more than $18.3 million to eligible applicants to provide “last-mile” services to unserved areas of Virginia and received 39 applications from 34 localities requesting $43.6 million in funding.

2020 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative Grants:

Locality/Organization

Project Name

Award

Albemarle Broadband Authority

ABBA Century Link VATI 2020

$291,300

Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission

Virginia Telecommunications Initiative 2020

$2,202,000

Charles City County

Virginia Telecommunications Initiative 2020

$3,966,012

Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission

CPC Broadband Expansion – Council to Davenport

$226,560

Franklin County

Franklin County Broadband Authority

$2,383,039

Grayson County

Connect Grayson

$1,838,255

Halifax County

Halifax County MEC/EMPOWER VATI

$710,514

King and Queen County

King and Queen County

$2,020,291

LENOWISCO Planning District Commission

LENOWISCO Regional Broadband Expansion Phase I

$790,464

Patrick County

Patrick County Broadband Expansion

$798,283

Stafford County

Stafford County – KGI VATI 2020

$874,478

Surry County

Prince George Electric Cooperative

$2,225,000

TOTAL:

$18,326,196