At its most recent meeting, Campbell County, Virginia board members agreed on one thing: the need for broadband. County staff are taking steps to draft an RFI (request for information) to invite firms to make them a broadband offer, reports the News and Advance.
At their first meeting back in March 2019, the Campbell County Broadband Authority, a committee of all seven members of the Campbell County Board of Supervisors, met to discuss improving broadband access within their county.
Of particular concern was an attempt to reach unserved and underserved residents. After months of studying the issue, the county is now poised to move forward.
County Administrator Frank Rogers labeled the group’s decision a “call for conceptual design.” Adding, “I think this is finally a point where we are pushing it out, instead of just talking topically about it. I think one of the challenges for providers will be when you say a conceptual design for county wide broadband, that’s a big ask, but I think that’s the conversation we need to start.”
Regarding finances, the Board plans to use the $1 million it earned from the transfer of the Dearing Ford Business and Manufacturing Center to the town of Altavista. As providers step forward with their RFI, the county will work out other options. Summing up the conclusions of the meeting, Supervisor Joe Hardie expressed his approval, calling broadband expansion, “the number one thing we need to get done.”
Reader Interactions