Economic Development: Rural Broadband Initiative

Rural Broadband Initiative

Nelson County has been vigorously pursuing broadband for its businesses and residents. Below is a synopsis of the work completed to date, culminating in the receipt of the Rural Broadband Planning Grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development in January 2007.

In 2004, the Director of Economic Development and Tourism wrote a grant from the Rural Utilities Service with Amherst County for a broadband study (that grant application is still pending).

Virginia Tech drafted a preliminary technology report in 2005 that includes:
•   Study of County topography
•   Identification of private sector service providers and document market penetration
•   Identification of the opportunities to coordinate with the school system – existing strategies and resources
•   Identification of the opportunities to coordinate with private sector service providers - we do not want to compete with the private sector - encourage expansion of current levels of service, then, if necessary, offer service so that as many citizens as possible have access to broadband
•   Identification of future technologies that might be applicable
•   Identification of pilot project(s) applicable

The EDA hosted a business development team from Verizon at its meeting September 2005, who outlined Verizon’s criteria for DSL deployment.

The EDA funded a county-wide broadband survey in Nelson County. The regional broadband study is focused on three areas: economic development, education/telemedicine, and public safety. The survey answered the questions: where do we have broadband access and where is it needed/desired to further economic development opportunities, education/telemedicine services, and public safety?

The Spring, 2006 Broadband survey mailed to 7,940 households in Nelson County and 4,689 households in Elkton - the two pilot areas for the study - with 509 completed surveys returned. The survey findings indicated that:
- More than 60% of organizations have an Internet connection and all employees are accessing the Internet;
- More than 76% of the respondents use dial-up as their primary means of accessing the Internet;
- More than 96% use the Internet for email, followed in high percentages for browsing, research, banking and on-line ordering;
- More than 59% of respondents were not satisfied with their Internet speed/service;
- More than 43% were willing to pay more for higher quality and faster Internet access;
- More than 74% indicated that better Internet access is vital to them and/or their business over the next five years; and
- More than 90% believe they and their business would benefit from affordable broadband access.

In December 2006, the County applied for for planning funds from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development's Rural Broadband Initiative.

Click here for to view the grant application.

On January 11, 2007, the County received notification that it was the first in the Commonwealth to receive a $25,000 planning grant. Click here for the PowerPoint presentation that was presented to the Management Team and County staff (2.66 MB)

Click here for the Notification for the Request for Proposal for Telecommunications Planning Services