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Sens. Webb, Warner Announce $22.7 Million for High-speed Broadband in Southwestern VirginiaJul 06, 2010 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- Washington, DC--Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner today announced a $22.7 million federal grant for the Bristol Virginia Utilities Board (BVU) to bring high-speed broadband service to tens of thousands of people in southwestern Virginia. BVU estimates that this project will directly create almost 300 jobs and help drive economic development in the community for years to come. The funding is made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was supported by both senators. The project will also be funded with an additional $13.5 million applicant-provided match. "This broadband funding will create new opportunities for employment, education, and entrepreneurship in rural Virginia by wiring homes and businesses," said Senator Webb. "The Southwest Virginia Middle Mile Project will enable communities in southwestern Virginia to compete on a more level playing field and attract new businesses." "Access to reliable and affordable broadband allows our rural schools and small businesses to better compete in today's global economy," Senator Warner said. "This investment helps to lay the foundation for expansion of high-speed Internet by tackling many of the 'middle-mile' issues in Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe counties." BVU's Southwest Virginia Middle Mile Project is a 388-mile fiber addition to its existing network that would bring up to 10 Gbps middle mile service to an eight-county region of southwestern Appalachian Virginia. Seven of the eight targeted counties are economically distressed, with per-capita incomes that are 80 percent or less of the national average. All eight counties lack adequate broadband services. Building on BVU's existing network, the project aims to spur connections and improved service to an estimated 120 community anchor institutions, 5,600 households, and 220 businesses in Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wythe Counties. BVU is a municipally-owned system, providing electric, water, and fiber communications services to the City of Bristol, Virginia; Washington County, Virginia; and Abingdon, Virginia. The organization was founded in 1945 to manage a regional electric system originally created by the Tennessee Valley Authority. BVU currently operates a 900-mile fiber network and was the first municipal entity in the nation to deploy an all-fiber network offering voice, video, and data services. Southwest Virginia Middle Mile Project partners include Cumberland Plateau Company, Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, and Virginia Department of Transportation. #DAL1234# |