Telecommunications 2023: VINCE APRUZZESE JR.
AT&T Virginia’s president since 2010, Apruzzese took on the additional role of president of external affairs for Delaware, Maryland and Washington, D.C., in April. His expanded duties include leading the company’s public policy, legislative and philanthropic activities in the three states and D.C. In a post for the AT&T Connects website, Apruzzese noted that the […]
Innovation, capital key to rural growth, Barkin and Warner say
There’s hope for economic growth in rural areas despite their challenges, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Tom Barkin and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said Wednesday during the Fed’s 2023 Investing in Rural America conference in Roanoke. Rural areas could overcome economic development challenges, particularly housing shortages and lack of broadband access, with innovation, [...]
Va. to receive $6.22M to expand broadband
Virginia is receiving $6.22 million in “Internet for All” federal grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced Thursday. “As we continue to compete in the 21st century, it is crucial that we close the digital divide in Virginia,” U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said […]
New Kent, Cox announce $34M internet expansion
New Kent County and Cox Communications Inc. have announced a $34 million public-private partnership to bring internet access via a fiber-optic network to all county residents and businesses. Work on the first phase is scheduled to begin this month and includes building out service to support 3,000 county residents who don’t currently have broadband access, according […]
Lumos plans Hampton Roads fiber internet expansion
Lumos announced last week an $83 million ultra-high-speed fiber internet expansion that is expected to extend 100-gigabyte capacity over 760 miles in Hampton Roads, affecting as many as 85,000 residents and businesses across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth by 2025. According to a news release, construction is expected to begin in 2023 and take two […]
Bill Buchanan named CEO of BARC Electric Co-op
Millboro-based BARC Electric Cooperative has named Bill Buchanan as CEO, replacing Michael Keyser, who left the cooperative in December 2021. Buchanan will take over as CEO effective May 9. Chief Operations Officer Chris Botulinski has been filling in as interim CEO and will return to his role as COO, the cooperative announced Monday. BARC is […]
Va. invests $722M in broadband expansion
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam this week announced a state investment of $722 million in grants toward expanding high-speed internet service in 70 localities across the commonwealth. The governor says the funding will help Virginia achieve 90% of its universal broadband access goal by 2024. “Broadband access impacts every facet of our daily lives, from education […]
Youngkin promises biz-friendly climate for Va.
Talent, taxes and regulations, broadband access and energy are the top concerns for Virginia businesses, according to survey results gathered for the Virginia Chamber of Commerce‘s Blueprint Virginia 2030, an action plan for strengthening Virginia’s economy. And those are also priorities for Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, he said Friday in a speech during the Virginia Economic […]
Roanoke biz to create 30 jobs in Scott County
Roanoke-based VFP Inc. will invest $7.2 million to expand in Scott County, creating 30 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday. The expansion will allow VFP to produce larger concrete shelters. “Great workers live in Southwest Virginia, and companies like VFP recognize that,” Northam said in a statement. “Virginia is advancing manufacturing across the commonwealth, and […]
Major companies pledge $1.5M for broadband expansion
Dominion Energy Inc., Meta Platforms Inc. — formerly Facebook — Glen Allen-based Primis Bank and Petersburg-based The Cameron Foundation have collectively pledged more than $1.5 million to expand broadband access across Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. The funding will contribute to efforts to extend service to 233,000 Virginians who lack access to broadband. “These […[...]
Va. on track to achieve universal broadband by 2024
The state government expects to achieve universal broadband access in Virginia by 2024, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday, with more than $2 billion in public and private-sector funding going toward the effort. Northam’s original pledge in 2018 was to provide broadband access to the whole state by 2028, but with federal COVID-19 relief funds received […]
Facebook bringing broadband to Grayson County
Facebook, Appalachian Power and Gigabeam Networks are partnering to bring faster internet to Grayson County residents, the social media giant announced Thursday. The trio of companies will bring fiber-to-the-home and wireless internet to about 6,000 households in Grayson, a Southwest Virginia county with a population of about 15,000. Gigabeam will begin offering internet service in […]