Central Virginia Partnership’s region to close the digital divide

More than 40,000 unserved locations in 14 localities will soon have fiber broadband access — seven of which are within the Central Virginia Partnership’s region. When completed, all nine of the Partnership’s localities will have full broadband coverage.

Governor Northam announced Monday that the grants will advance Virginia 90% to the goal of achieving universal access to broadband and high-speed internet. This moves the state one step closer to being one of the first steps to have universal access to broadband by 2024.

Northam thanked Gary Wood, President & CEO of Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC), for extending broadband to rural Virginia which includes parts of the Partnership’s region — Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison and Nelson counties.

Culpeper County was also awarded a grant to build fiber broadband in 4,269 unserved locations.

“Broadband access impacts every facet of our daily lives, from education to business to health care,” said Governor Northam. “It’s a necessity for navigating today’s digital world, and this new funding will close Virginia’s digital divide with universal broadband by 2024.”

Since Northam has taken office, the state has invested more than $846 million to connect more than 429,000 Virginia homes, businesses, and community anchors to broadband service.