In partnership with Gigabeam, Montgomery County has been awarded a Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grant to improve local broadband infrastructure.
The county and Gigabeam are each adding $140,763 to the $919,569 VATI grant to extend the local broadband network, bringing the total investment to $1,201,095.
In addition, Gigabeam has pledged to match $206,540 as in-kind matching funds for resources to include labor and equipment use, design, and fiber connections/routers.
The extended broadband network will bring fixed wireless broadband access to 1,292 serviceable units, including 44 businesses in Allegheny Springs, Elliston, Lafayette, and Shawsville. Construction will begin this summer with anticipated completion by the summer of 2022.
In total, $20.1 million in VATI grants were recently awarded to 17 localities for 11 projects, connecting more than 13,400 households, businesses, and anchor institutions to high-speed Internet, and leveraging $18.8 million in private and local investments.
