$3.4 Million Grant To Bring Internet To Homes In Western Stafford

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A $3.4 million grant from the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) will help provide high-speed internet to more than 600 homes in western parts of Stafford County, officials announced on Wednesday.

The project will be completed through a partnership between Stafford County and Comcast. In total, the project is estimated to cost a total of $5.7 million.

“This is the largest VATI grant we have received to date, and it will help us greatly in our continuing efforts to tackle the digital divide," Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Crystal Vanuch said in a news release. "We’ve worked with Comcast for years, and we are confident their expertise will ensure this project is successful."

The project will focus on providing internet to households that are currently unserved or underserved in the Hartwood and Rock Hill election districts. Officials estimated that the project would be completed about 18 months after contract terms are finalized.

Misty Allen is the Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Comcast’s Beltway Region. "We are proud to continue our investment in Virginia – which to date equates to billions of dollars across the state to expand our fiber-rich network and bring our services to unserved areas to connect more residents and businesses in need of broadband," Allen said. "Technology is a powerful driver of innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth, and we’re committed to helping individuals and communities fully participate in the digital economy."

The $5.7 million project is being funded by the $3.4 million VATI grant, and $1.5 million from Stafford County, with the remaining balance being provided by Comcast.

This project is only the most recent in Stafford County's ongoing efforts to expand internet access. In 2020, the county facilitated an $874,478 partnership to provide wired internet to more than 600 homes in Marlborough Point, Widewater Road, and Widewater Beach.n

More information about the partnership with Comcast, including a map of the project area, is available online.

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