Home Page - Rappahannock Broadband Authority

We are working to bring Broadband to Rappahannock County

Vision – A rural community where everyone has access to next-generation broadband.

Mission – Bringing affordable Broadband Service to our county one connection at a time while enhancing overall quality of life and serving community needs in accord with our scenic, rural nature.

Objective – Reducing capital/start-up costs and ongoing operating expenses for private sector providers to provide a choice of next-generation broadband access in unserved and underserved areas of our rural community.

Who We Are

Rappahannock County Broadband Authority (RCBA)

The Rappahannock County Broadband Authority has partnered with All Points Broadband and the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative to bring fiber-optic service to every “unserved” household in Rappahannock County.

The RCBA consists of five members. It was created in order to have a legal entity that was capable of entering into contracts and financial transactions to further the development of broadband accessibility in the County.

Learn About the Project

We need your help!

ANYONE can register! While most locations in the county have no broadband service, we would like to hear from everyone. The survey will guide you to enter information on whether you are currently served or not.

It is especially important for those who are unserved to register their household interest, which can be done by taking the survey.

The Survey is measuring interest only – there is no cost and no commitment by taking the survey.

Register for Broadband

Project Funding Announced

Governor Northam announced on December 13, 2021 the award of a Virgina Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) Grant to the Northern Shenandoah Regional Commission (NSVRC), which group filed a VATI application on behalf of eight counties to include Rappahannock County. The grant award represents a major advancement toward the RCBA’s goal of providing universal broadband access. Without the VATI Grant, a project of this scale would not otherwise be feasible.

View the latest Press Release from All Points Broadband regarding the VATI award announcement, and the NSVRC 2022 Award Letter from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

See the time line below for the path forward.

Preliminary map of locations in Rappahannock County that have been identified as eligible for project funding. Source: All Points Broadband.

Project Timeline

2020

December

Rappahannock County Broadband Authority is Formed

The Rappahannock County Broadband Authority consists of five members. It was created to have a legal entity capable of entering into contracts and agreements on behalf of Rappahannock County. The RCBA carries forward the work that was previously done by the Rappahannock County Broadband Committee.

2021

June

Seven Counties Enter into MOU with All Points Broadband

In August, Fauquier County joined the now eight-county project.

September

REGIONAL VATI GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTED

Eight localities joined together with the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission and All Points Broadband to submit a VATI grant application on September 14, 2021. The localites are Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Warren, Rappahannock, Fauquier, Clark, and Frederick Counties.

October

Challenge / Rebuttal Period Begins

Applications for the grant will contain service areas where households are underserved for broadband access. Local incumbent providers are given a chance to challenge certain areas in an application if they provide service in these areas.

Applicants will then be given a chance for rebuttal over the challenges. A final determination will then be made for funding eligibility in the disputed locations.

November

Challenge / Rebuttal Period Ends

November 18, 2021 is the deadline for rebuttal submissions.

December

Challenge Determination Made

All parties will be notified of the challenge determinations in December, 2021.

December

Funding Awards Announcement

On December 13, 2021 Governor Northam announced an award of $95.3 million to the NSVRC, which award includes funding for the Rappahannock County portion of the regional project.

View the Governor’s release: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2021/december/headline-916304-en.html

2022

May

Contract Completion Deadline

Project agreements will be negotiated and executed within 90 days of the DHCD kick-off meeting scheduled for the beginning of February. VATI funding will be officially available only after execution of these agreements.

July

Estimated Start of Construction

Construction of network by All Points Broadband is estimated to begin by July or sooner as the contract and funding are finalized.