BUCKINGHAM, Va., Feb. 28, 2020 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Virginia Beth Green announced USDA has invested $28 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure for more than 17,000 rural households in Virginia. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments.
“High-speed broadband internet connectivity, or e-Connectivity, is essential to economic development, quality of life and overall prosperity in any community,” Green said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to help rural communities deploy this essential infrastructure, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative will use a $28 million ReConnect Program loan and grant combination to construct a fiber-to-the-premises network encompassing 704 square miles. The service area is expected to reach 17,023 households, 35 pre-subscribed businesses, 20 pre-subscribed farms, 15 educational facilities, 15 critical community facilities and six health care centers in Albemarle, Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Greene, Goochland, Louisa, Orange, Prince Edward and Powhatan counties.
