Virginia takes final step toward universal high-speed internet access
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RICHMOND, Va. (WVIR) – Virginia is moving closer to completing its mission of providing high-speed internet to every corner of the state.
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) unveiled the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal on August 6.
It seeks $613 million in federal funding to connect the roughly 133,500 homes, businesses, and community centers that remain without reliable internet service.
When Governor Glenn Youngkin took office in 2022, the number of unconnected locations in the commonwealth was nearly 436,000. This proposal marks the final major push to close the digital divide statewide.
Theplannotonlytapsintofederalfundsbutalsoleverages$434millioninprivateinvestmentfrominternetproviders.Itfeaturesamixoftechnologies—fromfiberopticstofixedwirelessandsatellite—toensurecost-effective,widespreadconnectivity.
“Dayone,wemadeapromisetoconnectallVirginiahomesandbusinessestoreliable,high-speedinternet,andthesegrants,onceapproved,willfundthelaststeptokee
