Thanks in large part to legislation signed by Governor Ralph Northam in March, and to a unique arrangement with Appalachian Power and GigaBeam Networks, LLC, Grayson County will become the first Virginia locality to participate in a three-year pilot program to significantly increase broadband access to residents.
Grayson County is an ideal candidate for the pilot program because it lacks access to quality broadband and is already serviced by a single electric utility company, Appalachian Power. Michael W.S. Lockaby, a firm partner with expertise in infrastructure projects including broadband expansion initiatives, worked with the County on the project. Grayson County selected him to negotiate an agreement with Appalachian Power and Gigabeam, as well as oversee a separate partnership contract with Gigabeam. In addition, Mike and the firm assisted County officials in negotiations with Gigabeam and ApCo, are helping them navigate the complex regulatory approval process, as well as develop the project schedule with Gigabeam. Mike is working closely with County Administrator, Bill Shepley, County IT Director, Carl Caudill, and their tech consultant, Sandie Terry of Rural Broadband Consulting, on the project.
Like most rural areas, it is more expensive and less profitable for utility companies to offer high-speed internet in Grayson County. Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy are already in the process of modernizing the Virginia power grid, and now have legislative backing to install more fiber-optic cable to rural substations to expand their internet connectivity. Under regulatory supervision, the two utility companies will “lease out” the additional cable to local service providers, such as Gigabeam, who will provide the actual internet service to customers. Although the utilities can recover additional costs spent on the program from their customers, the hope is that the new revenue generated from leasing the additional cable to local service providers will offset these rates and ultimately save customers money.
The broadband expansion project is not only an exciting initiative for Grayson County, it is also an innovative way to solve broadband issues in underserved areas throughout the country. In fact, officials from South Carolina and West Virginia have shown interest in replicating this program in their communities.
The Guynn, Waddell, Carroll & Lockaby team is proud to be involved in this project and is excited to utilize its expertise in overseeing complex broadband expansion projects throughout Virginia.
For additional information, please read The Roanoke Times article.
