Middlesex officials take aim at ‘Internet deserts’

Middlesex Supervisors continue to try to eliminate Internet deserts throughout the county and provide high-speed Internet to everyone.

At the supervisors regular November meeting, Kevin Gentry, IT director and executive director of the Middlesex County Broadband Authority, informed supervisors that they were “working to get Internet service to as many people as possible.”

The Virginia Affordability and Adoption Planning Grant (VAAPG) will provide up to $25,000 for this project, said Gentry. He added that the authority will apply for a grant but needed supervisors approval to move forward.

“One of our number one goals is to have Internet service to every home in Middlesex County,” said Supervisors Chairman Don Harris. “We certainly encourage you (Gentry) to move forward on getting whatever grants are available.”

In August, the authority, along with All Points Broadband and Dominion Energy Virginia, conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for a fiber-to-the-town broadband project that will deliver service to more than 900 unserved homes and businesses in Middlesex.

That project was funded through investments by Middlesex County, DHCD, All Points Broadband and Dominion Energy Virginia and it is expected to be completed by the end of this year.