All Points Broadband, Dominion Energy Virginia and Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Announce Completion of Northern Neck Regional Broadband Initiative

WARSAW, Va. –All Points Broadband, Dominion Energy Virginia, and the Northern Neck Electric Cooperative announced the completion of the regional fiber-to-the-home broadband network in Virginia’s five-county Northern Neck region, bringing state-of-the-art fiber broadband to more than 10,000 locations in King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties previously unable to access broadband.

All Points Broadband, Dominion Energy Virginia, and the Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) collaborated to bring broadband to the region through the Northern Neck Broadband Initiative, a public-private partnership initiated through the Northern Neck Planning District Commission. In addition to the substantial private sector investment and contributions from each participating county, the Initiative secured substantial federal and state financial support, principally through the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The completed project represents more than $120 million in new infrastructure investment for the region.

“When we launched the Northern Neck Broadband Initiative in partnership with Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, Dominion Energy and our County partners, we created a new model for how to bring fiber broadband to regions that had been left behind for too long.  We are thrilled to have completed this pioneering project that has become an example of how to bring fiber broadband to the unserved,” said Jimmy Carr, CEO of All Points Broadband. “Today’s success would not have been possible without the work of the Northern Neck Planning District Commission, our five county partners, and the commitment and support of Dominion Energy Virginia and the Northern Neck Electric Cooperative.”

“Northern Neck Electric Cooperative’s mission has always been to improve the quality of life in our communities, and we are proud to have played a key role in completing this transformative broadband project,” said Brad Hicks, President and CEO of NNEC. “Hearing the feedback from our members, we took an all-hands approach to support this initiative, contributing significant resources and leveraging thousands of NNEC poles to make this vision a reality. This project demonstrates the power of collaboration and our commitment to meeting the needs of the communities we serve.”

“We are committed to improving the quality of life and boosting economic growth in the communities we serve,” said Robert Wright, Dominion Energy Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. “We are thrilled to extend our efforts to bridge the digital divide in the Virginia Northern Neck counties of King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland. Through our partnerships with the Northern Neck Planning District, All Points Broadband, and Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC), we are helping make this vital service accessible to underserved customers across the Northern Neck.”

“Access to reliable internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The completion of this project has enhanced the quality of life for our residents, especially for our children as internet access is vital for their education,” said William Davis, Chair of the King George Board of Supervisors. “We are proud that our rural areas are now served with fiber and look forward to future expansion to all residents.”

“Richmond County is thankful for the partnership that has ultimately provided internet access to many of our residents,” said F. Lee Sanders, Chair of the Richmond County Board of Supervisors. “We look forward to continuing to work together with All Points to connect those few homes remaining.”

“Northumberland County is appreciative of being part of the regional VATI effort to expand broadband into Northumberland County as it has become so important in our everyday lives,” said Richard Haynie, Chair of the Northumberland County Board of Supervisors. “This expansion of broadband has only been possible to achieve due to the efforts of our partners: Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, Dominion Power, Northern Neck Planning District Commission, All Points Broadband, and the localities participating in the regional program.”

“The completion of this project marks a significant step forward towards our goal of closing the digital divide, empowering communities by connecting them to quality broadband and the opportunities that come with it,” said Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and Chief Broadband Advisor Bryan Horn. “We’ve made remarkable progress, and the Office of Broadband is not slowing down as we work towards our goal of achieving quality, high-speed broadband across the Commonwealth.”

“The Northern Neck Broadband Project is a true public/private partnership that has positively impacted and benefited the region in many ways,” said Jerry W. Davis, Executive Director for the Northern Neck Planning District Commission. “The economic, social and education benefits are immeasurable.”