County Broadband Initiatives
Community Outreach
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
COUNTY BROADBAND INITIATIVES
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMPANIES RECOGNIZED AT RBTC TECHNITE
MONTGOMERY COUNTY AWARDED OVER $28 MILLION FOR BROADBAND
In August, the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC) hosted the 2021 TechNite, an annual awards banquet celebrating the innovative technology companies in the Roanoke and Blacksburg area.
This year’s TechNite event also took place in partnership with the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center’s “Game Changer Week,” which featured a variety of virtual and in-person events celebrating the region’s unique entrepreneurial ecosystem.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY HOSTS SENATOR TIM KAINE
In September, the Department hosted a breakfast meeting for Senator Tim Kaine and the New River/ Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board at the Inn at Virginia Tech. During the event, Senator Kaine was able to speak directly with business owners and workforce development leaders from the region about obstacles they are facing in seeking and retaining employees. The challenges discussed ranged from the need for quality, affordable child care for employees; access to high-speed broadband service; and more attention for career and technical education to show students that there are great jobs right in their backyard.
EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 2021
The Department sponsored several events in 2021 for business outreach and to support the initiatives of its many partners and allies: • • • • •
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Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament AUVSI Ridge and Valley Chapter 4th Annual Unmanned Systems Chapter Symposium Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council TechNite Awards Banquet Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board Breakfast with Senator Tim Kaine
2021 Annual Report | Montgomery County Economic Development Department
VATI 2021 In 2020, Montgomery County and its official broadband partner, GigaBeam Networks, LLC., submitted an application for the 2021 round of VATI grant funding to connect unserved areas of Shawsville, Elliston, Lafayette, and Alleghany Springs. In March 2021, the County was awarded $919,569 in VATI funding, and when paired with matching funds from both Montgomery County and GigaBeam, the project will total $1.4 million. The project is expected to bring fiber broadband to 1,292 unserved homes and businesses. VATI 2022 For the 2022 round of VATI funding, Montgomery County was even more ambitious, submitting a broadband project in partnership with Appalachian Power Company and GigaBeam that would cover almost the entire county.
Image Credit: Montgomery County PIO
Several other Montgomery County businesses and industry leaders were also recognized at TechNite. Entrepreneur of the Year went to Sonu Singh, President and CEO of 1901 Group (Blacksburg), and the Innovator of the Year award was presented to Daniel Smith and Matt Welborn of Entos, Inc. (Blacksburg). Amy Ankrum, President and CEO of Qualtrax, Inc. (Blacksburg) prior to Patterson accepts the “Company of the its acquisition by Ideagen, PLC, was co-recipient of the Patrick Year” award for FoxGuard Solutions at TechNite. Regional Leadership Award, which recognizes those who lead by example in the local technology community. Doug Juanerena was also inducted into the RBTC Hall of Fame for his contributions to the technology field in our region and his successful mentorship of three RAMP technology startups.
Image Credit: RBTC
Each year, the Department sponsors one of the many awards presented to local companies at the TechNite event. This year, the Department sponsored the Company of the Year award, recognizing a business that demonstrates excellence and a commitment to advancing the technology community in our region, and was presented to FoxGuard Solutions (Christiansburg).
Over the past year, Montgomery County has made significant progress in carrying out the Board of Supervisors’ goal of ensuring all citizens have access to adequate broadband service. In 2021, the County was awarded over $28 million in broadband funding through two separate Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) grants administered through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
In December 2021, Montgomery County was awarded $27.6 million in VATI grant funding as part of a larger multi-jurisdictional application with Bland County and Pulaski County. Along with $6 million of American Rescue Plan funds allocated by Montgomery County and another $16.4 million from Appalachian Power and GigaBeam, the total amount of funding for Montgomery County’s portion is $50 million. The ultimate goal is to bring much-needed broadband service to a proposed 8,822 homes and businesses by leveraging Appalachian Power’s fiber network. “We, as a government entity, understand that the only way to achieve [our] goal is to partner with private companies like GigaBeam and Appalachian Power Company,” Montgomery County Administrator Craig Meadows said in a press release. “Together, we applied for and were awarded one of the largest VATI grants in the southwest region of Virginia to date. This significant grant has created a path for citizens and businesses throughout Montgomery County to have access to high speed internet by the end of 2023.”
CATAWBA ROAD PROJECT COMPLETED USING CARES ACT FUNDING
In January 2021, a smaller scale broadband project was completed on Catawba Road in Blacksburg. Montgomery County partnered with Wide Open Networks for the project using a $132,000 grant awarded to the County by the Virginia Broadband Department from CARES Act funding in late 2020. Construction on the project began in December 2020, and by mid-January of 2021, 14 previously unserved homes along Catawba Road were able to access broadband service. The project ultimately exceeded the $132,000 grant by about $33,000, but because connecting Catawba Road established the groundwork needed for future extensions, Wide Open Networks absorbed the additional expenses for the project.
Montgomery County, Virginia | Home of Virginia Tech and the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg
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