Utility Leverage Program

Contact:

The Utility Leverage Program for broadband allows Virginia’s investor owned utilities to partner with localities and internet service providers to leverage utility-owned fiber for network expansion in unserved areas of the Commonwealth. Email us at broadband@dhcd.virginia.gov to receive email updates about this program.

UTILITY LEVERAGE PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Pursuant to “§56-585.1:9” of the Code of Virginia, petitioners may submit proposed project areas to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to be designated as unserved by broadband. DHCD has released the guidelines for unserved certification, effective March 1, 2023. To access the guidelines, please click the link below.


UNSERVED PETITION REVIEW DATES

In accordance with the Utility Leverage Program Unserved Certification Guidelines, DHCD shall publish two dates in calendar year 2024 at which petitions for unserved certification will be due and considered by DHCD for unserved certification. For the 2024 calendar year, these two dates are March 29, 2024 and May 17, 2024. Petitions submitted prior to these deadlines will be considered at the next closest petition filing deadline. 

OPEN PETITIONS FOR UNSERVED CERTIFICATIONS

The petitions for proposed project areas below are currently open for review by internet service providers. Challenges to petitions will not be considered if challenge materials are incomplete. See the Unserved Certification Guidelines above for more details regarding the requirements of challenges. Challenge information must be emailed to broadband@dhcd.virginia.gov by the deadline below for consideration. 

*DHCD may extend the validation period by thirty (30) days and will provide notice to the petitioner and challenger(s) if any additional review time is needed or if current petition volume necessitates extension.

FORMER PETITIONS FOR UNSERVED CERTIFICATION

The Department of Housing and Community Development has certified the areas included in the shapefiles below are unserved by broadband.