February 27, 2024
Westmoreland County, VA – The Northern Neck Broadband Initiative continues to make progress in its fiber-to-the-home broadband network. Representatives from Westmoreland County, All Points Broadband, Northern Neck Planning District Commission, and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development celebrated the County’s broadband network activation at Rock Spring Farm, a member of Northern Neck Electric Cooperative. Liberty Rock Spring Farm is a working farm and home to retired Army veteran Jack Pennington and his wife Ann. The Westmoreland portion of the Northern Neck Broadband Initiative will provide service to 1,385 locations across the county that otherwise would not have access to broadband.
“The need for broadband in our rural community was amplified during the COVID-19 outbreak, which identified a vulnerability given the fact that many folks couldn’t work from home,” said Jeff McCormack, the District 2 Supervisor of Westmoreland County. “As many also know, the 253 square miles that make up Westmoreland County often has spotty cell coverage, and satellite internet services are not as fast or reliable. I’m extremely proud of the work of All Points Broadband, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for providing reliable high-speed internet throughout Westmoreland County and the Northern Neck of Virginia.”
“More than 1,300 families will soon have access to expanded healthcare access, new education prospects, and new economic opportunities in Westmoreland County,” said Brad Hicks, President and CEO of the Northern Neck Electric Cooperative. “We are so thrilled that these families will have a better quality of life, and to play a role in that.”
“I can say that the board of supervisors stepped up from the very beginning,” said Westmoreland County Supervisor, Tim Trivett. “They provided $650,000 in funding to ensure that the unserved areas of Westmoreland County had the opportunity to have internet service. It’s great to see this come online and near completion.”
The Northern Neck Broadband Initiative is a true public-private partnership. All Points Broadband, Dominion Energy Virginia, and NNEC are investing and collaborating to bring broadband to the five-county region through a partnership initiated by the Northern Neck Planning District Commission. The Initiative will bring fiber-to-the-home broadband to over 7,500 locations across the Northern Neck. The significant direct private investment is leveraged by $13 million in funding through DHCD’s Virginia Telecommunication Initiative and county-specific contributions.
Service is currently available in parts of Richmond, Northumberland, Westmoreland, and King George counties, with Lancaster County service expected to be available soon. Network construction is ongoing, and we thank residents of the Northern Neck for their patience as we complete this regional infrastructure project. Residents can visit APBfiber.com determine whether their location is included in the project, register for service, and sign up for project updates with no obligation.