Appomattox County is moving ahead with establishing a broadband authority to partner with private providers in expanding service for areas lacking high-speed Internet.
The Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Monday asking the State Corporation Commission to charter the authority following a public hearing, said Assistant County Administrator John Spencer. Three of the five members met as a quorum Monday despite the snow and the hearing drew one written response from a resident favoring its formation, he said.
Appomattox is working with Region 2000’s Local Economic Development Council in receiving legal services for establishing the authority. Amherst and Bedford officials approved similar authorities earlier this year and also worked with Region 2000.
County supervisors can serve as members of a broadband authority, a route the Amherst and Bedford boards have taken. Appomattox supervisors indicated they would also serve as the authority, Spencer said.
Appomattox recently received a $50,000 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission that required a $5,000 local match, Spencer said.
DigitalBridge Communications currently provides WiMAX service to the town of Appomattox.
“It has always been our plan to spread it out to all of the areas of the county where it is feasible,” Spencer said of broadband capabilities.
DigitalBridge is a “natural fit” to continue as a player in that effort, Spencer said, but the authority could be set up “to work with whoever it is out there who can provide service.”
The expansion would help both businesses and residents, he said. “If you don’t have broadband, you’re at a disadvantage. What we’re trying to do is cross that digital divide.”
Spencer said the county would also use the authority to keep “all options open” for potential federal stimulus funding that could be used in the expansion effort.
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