Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced $200,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Local Innovation funding for Nelson County.
The Local Innovation Fund provides financial assistance to localities that are implementing small scale, innovative community development projects. Nelson County will construct approximately eight miles of fiber along the Route 151 corridor to facilitate an increase in broadband availability and improve connectivity to businesses. The project is slated to create 20 new jobs for several of the county’s largest employers.
Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Providing high-speed, affordable telecommunications is a vital part of rural economic restructuring as we work to build a new Virginia economy. This infrastructure is critical for attracting and retaining businesses throughout the Commonwealth.”
“Broadband availability is indispensable for the creation of sustainable and competitive communities that enjoy economic growth and a high quality of life,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “This is great news for Nelson County and the Commonwealth as a whole.”
Since 1982, the federally-funded CDBG program has been administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and Virginia receives up to $17 million annually for this program. The CDBG program is a flexible tool for community improvement in Virginia and can address a wide range of needs, from infrastructure for new or expanding industries, new or improved water and sewer systems in rural areas, rehabilitation of housing in declining neighborhoods, revitalization of commercial districts, support to small businesses and support of facilities for a variety of needed critical community services. Only eligible units of local government may apply for funding.
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