On Monday, a transformational groundbreaking event occurred in the New River Valley that signals a major step toward universal broadband coverage in our region.
Since I was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, I have been heavily involved in ensuring that all who live in the New River Valley are able to obtain access to reliable, high-speed internet if they want it. These projects involve massive coordination between local, state, and federal government, as well as with private industry. I have assisted local governments and private broadband providers in the 42nd House District as they have applied for several Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) grants, to include large projects in Giles County, and now I am pleased to report that a major project will soon bring broadband to thousands of homes in Pulaski County.
This project consists of a total investment of $55 million that will deliver high-speed and reliable broadband service by All Points Broadband to 8,700 homes that are currently unserved in Pulaski County. This is a landmark project that will connect unserved residents to educational resources, new business opportunities, telemedicine, and other convenient applications that those who currently have internet access have come to take for granted. It cannot be overstated how vital this progress will be for Pulaski County residents and for future economic development.
VATI projects involve close collaboration between local and state officials to identify not only which addresses must still be served with broadband, but also which broadband provider(s) will be contracted to do the work. Our local governments work exceptionally hard to identify these unserved locations and are aggressive in applying for these very competitive grants, and many times, I am able to help push these applications across the finish line. It is an important case to make to the Commonwealth’s broadband administrators in Richmond that our rural areas have been left out of the digital economy, and they cannot be forsaken any longer for the benefit of more populous areas of the Commonwealth.
We are fortunate in the New River Valley to have several excellent broadband providers that have received these grants in order to serve our region. In 2021, GigaBeam completed service to over 220 homes in eastern Montgomery County. PemTel recently secured a $4.2 million grant to service 600 new homes in rural Giles County. With this massive new state investment in Pulaski County in partnership with All Points Broadband, the New River Valley moves much closer to total broadband coverage and a new era of convenience for rural residents. This is an extremely important issue for me, and I will continue to work closely with local governments and broadband providers in support of future VATI applications until every home that wants high-speed and reliable internet has access to it.
As the Delegate representing the 42nd House District in the Virginia General Assembly, your concerns are my greatest priority. If ever I may be of assistance to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at DelJBallard@House.Virginia.Gov. You can also follow me on Twitter @JasonBallardVA or like my Facebook page, Jason Ballard for Delegate, to keep up to date with what I am doing in Richmond and in our community on your behalf.
