Vermont CUD Adds Three Towns to Roster

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Vermont’s Swanton Town, Swanton Village, and St. Albans Town joined the Northwest Communications Union District (NCUD) with hopes of expanding broadband service within Franklin County, VT last week. The Saint Albans Messenger reported that on November 1, the NCUD received $604,376 in grant funding to support hiring professional staff, operational expenses, and administrative and legal services.  

“We’ve gotten to the point where I think the idea of CUDs is a little more comfortable with communities,” said NCUD Director Sean Kio. “It’s just a matter of getting them up and providing them the information of what their need really is and what our direction is.”  

Kio added that the NCUD aims to close the gap between the haves and have-nots when it comes to broadband. The pandemic exacerbated the digital divide “with remote students and workers in underserved areas not being able to participate.”

The Messenger reported the NCUD was formed in August 2020, and was completely volunteer-based until two weeks ago. Kio, who was involved from the onset, became the first full-time employee in October. State and federal grants fund the NCUD. 

NCUD has already helped bring broadband to three communities and is now expanding its reach, according to Kio, to serve the entire district eventually. Kio noted that improving fiber in towns with sufficient coverage could attract more providers, driving down costs.

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