Louisa County to work with Dominion Energy Virginia for high-speed internet access
Louisa County, Va., officials are partnering with Dominion Energy Virginia, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC), and Firefly Fiber Broadband to ensure high-speed internet access in the country.
In September 2020, the Louisa County Board of Supervisors earmarked $15 million to deploy and construct fiber throughout the county. The initial phases of the project will begin in early 2021. REC will own the fiber network in the majority of the county. Firefly — a subsidiary of Central Virginia Electric Cooperative — be the internet service provider for the partnership. It will also oversee the construction of the REC-owned fiber and be responsible for network operation and fiber maintenance.
For its part, Dominion Energy is working to provide “middle-mile” fiber optic cable infrastructure that can also be used to bridge the digital gap and reduce broadband deployment costs in Louisa County.
“This historic partnership is a long-awaited and extraordinary benefit for Louisa’s citizens,” Duane Adams, Louisa board vice chairman and board representative to the Louisa Broadband Authority, said. “Fiber-based broadband will bring improved education tools, new job opportunities, access to telemedicine, and the potential to attract new businesses. We want every resident and business to have access to reliable, quality internet, and today is the day that the bridge over the digital divide in Louisa County begins to take shape.”
The parties will undertake a phased approach with a petition to the State Corporation Commission for regulatory approval later in 2021. It is estimated that 50 percent of the county will have access by the end of 2023, and 75 percent will have access by the end of 2024. The project will be completed by the end of 2025.
“Broadband access supports education, equity, and economic development initiatives and is more important than ever,” Ed Baine, president of Dominion Energy Virginia, said. “We’re proud to work with our partners in Louisa County to be part of the solution and help bring this critical resource to the communities we serve.”
