The Department of Commerce announced this week that a Virginia company will receive $19 million in stimulus funding to bring high-speed internet services to 17 jurisdictions across Southside.

The infrastructure grant, part of the Commerce Department's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), will be awarded to the Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative, which will expand and improve its existing broadband and voice communications network in the cities of Franklin and Emporia, and the following counties: Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Lunenburg, Charlotte, Halifax, Prince Edward, Buckingham, Amelia, Greensville, Sussex, Southampton, Nottoway, Isle of Wight, Cumberland, and Surry.

In all, the funding will help provide high-speed wireless internet to as many as 100,000 households, 14,800 businesses, and 800 community institutions. Additionally, the project will reduce the equipment costs of equipment for residents to install broadband service at home.

Senator Warner said of the announcement:

“Access to reliable and affordable broadband allows our rural schools and small businesses to better compete in today’s global economy. Our previous investments helped to lay the foundation for this expansion of high-speed Internet across Southside, and the stimulus investment we announced in February tackled many of the region’s ‘middle-mile’ issues. With today’s grant announcement, we begin addressing some of the ‘last-mile’ connection issues.”

This is the second installment of funding to expand high-speed Internet service in Southside. In February, the Commerce Department awarded close to $22 million for a broadband build-out in the region.