Governor Youngkin Announces More Than $59.5 Million in Virginia Telecommunication Initiative Grants
Investment will support broadband access to more than 29,900 homes, businesses, and community anchors
RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced more than $59.5 million in grants through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) for 14 projects serving 20 localities throughout Virginia. The VATI program provides targeted funding to extend service to areas that are presently underserved by any broadband provider.
“In today’s increasingly digital world, having access to high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury, it is necessary in order to fully participate in daily life,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “These investments will allow us to reach underserved communities, grow Virginia’s economy and close the digital divide across the Commonwealth.”
The goal of VATI is to create strong, competitive communities throughout the Commonwealth by preparing those communities to build, utilize, and capitalize on telecommunications infrastructure. This year’s funding leverages more than $118.6 million in local and private sector matching funds.
“Closing the digital divide is paramount to growing Virginia’s economy, supporting businesses and ensuring that all Virginians have the resources they need to thrive,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “These investments will connect over 29,400 homes, businesses and community anchors, making critical strides toward achieving universal broadband in Virginia.”
The Department of Housing and Community Development administers the VATI program, which provides targeted financial assistance to extend broadband service to areas that are currently unserved by a provider. Projects were selected through a competitive process that evaluated each project for demonstrated need and benefit for the community, applicant readiness and capacity, and the cost and leverage of the proposed project. The level of funding awarded is based on the infrastructure needs in the project area.
In this application year, VATI received 35 applications requesting more than $300 million in funding. Since 2017, Virginia has invested more than $798.7 million to connect over 358,000 homes, businesses and community anchors within 84 localities. Additional information on VATI is available here.
A full list and description of these awards is below, listed by award amount.
| Essex County VATI 2023 |
$8,753,009 VATI Award $19,113,941 Match $27,866,950 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with Breezeline, will build a broadband network to 2,766 unserved locations including 54 businesses and community anchors. | |
| Southside Planning District Commission Regional Fiber Broadband Project Phase 2 |
$8,556,028.84 VATI Award $21,677,288.16 Match $30,233,317.00 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with Empower Broadband, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 4,804 unserved locations, including 240 businesses and community anchor institutions. | |
| 2023 West Piedmont Planning District Commission East Universal Broadband Project |
$8,155,864 VATI Award $5,205,136 Match $13,361,000 TOTAL |
| This project in partnership with RiverStreet Networks will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 3,356 unserved locations, including 180 businesses and community anchor institutions. | |
| VATI 2023 Eastern Caroline |
$6,446,000 VATI Award $15,247,000 Match $21,693,000 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with Breezeline, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 2,979 unserved locations, including 198 businesses and community anchor institutions, in the eastern portion of the county. | |
| Shenandoah County VATI Broadband Grant Application 2023 |
$4,936,968 VATI Award $9,168,655 Match $14,105,623 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with Shentel, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 2,447 unserved locations, including 29 businesses and community anchors. | |
| 2023 West Piedmont Planning District Commission Pittsylvania County Universal Broadband Project |
$3,548,250 VATI Award $1,856,750 Match $5,405,000 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with Riverstreet Networks, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 2,102 unserved locations, including 19 businesses and community anchor institutions. | |
| Greensville County Verizon FY23 VATI Project |
$2,956,774.80 VATI Award $4,435,162.20 Match $7,391,937 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with Verizon, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 1,347 unserved locations, including 36 businesses and community anchor institutions. | |
| Orange County FiberLync VATI FY23 Project |
$2,181,000 VATI Award $8,391,058 Match $10,572,058 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with FiberLync, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 576 unserved locations to include nine businesses and community anchors. | |
| VATI 2023 Western Caroline |
$2,032,334 VATI Award $5,610,501 Match $7,642,835 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with Verizon, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 854 unserved locations, including 55 businesses and community anchor institutions, in the western portion of the county. | |
| Bedford County and Shentel 2023 VATI Grant Application |
$1,373,161.74 VATI Award $3,204,044.05 Match $4,577,205.79 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with Shentel, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 565 unserved locations, including 14 businesses and community anchor institutions. | |
| Floyd County: Extending Fiber Along Private Roads and Apartments |
$1,339,387 VATI Award $827,173 Match $2,166,560 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with Citizens Telephone Cooperative, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 543 unserved locations, including seven businesses and community anchor institutions. | |
| Chesterfield Virginia VATI 2023 Application |
$755,523 VATI Award $12,494,553 Match $13,250,076 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with All Points Broadband, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 494 unserved locations, including 44 businesses and community anchor institutions. | |
| Henrico County Universal Broadband Project |
$501,620 VATI Award $6,027,280.42 Match $6,528,900.42 TOTAL |
| This project, in partnership with All Points Broadband, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 412 unserved locations, including 36 businesses and community anchor institutions. | |
| A letter of intent of $8,013,600 was issued to the 2023 West Piedmont Planning District Commission West Universal Broadband Project which, in partnership with Riverstreet Networks, will build a fiber-to-the-home broadband network to 4,526 unserved locations, including 323 businesses and community anchors. This application provides matching funds of $5,386,400. | |
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