Accomack to receive funding to extend Broadband Services

Accomack County is in line for funding to extend broadband service.  County Administrator Mike Mason told the Board of Supervisors that the county is in line  for over $7 million in broadband assistance.

On August 6th, the Virginia Office of Broadband released the state’s final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program—better known as BEAD. The proposal is now open for a seven-day public comment period.

The plan spells out exactly which unserved communities across the Commonwealth would finally get high-speed internet, if the federal government signs off. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration still has to approve it.

Virginia has $1.48 billion in federal funding to work with. Officials say the money will not only help finish the job of building out broadband infrastructure, but also support long-term affordability and adoption programs—making sure families can actually connect and use the service.

One big piece of the plan is on the Eastern Shore. In Accomack County, more than 3,300 unserved homes and businesses are slated to benefit. Three providers would share nearly seven million dollars in grants to extend service there. The Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority would receive the bulk—about $6.9 million. Smaller awards would also go to Amazon Kuiper and SpaceX.

If approved, state leaders say this could be a transformational moment, bringing reliable broadband to the last unconnected pockets of Virginia.