LANCASTER COUNTY BROADBAND AUTHORITY

The LCBA is managing several direct and public-private partnership state and federal grants devoted to the expansion of broadband internet access services in Lancaster County.  It also is committed to promoting programs available to County residents to obtain affordable access to broadband internet access service.

 

Below is the list of funding commitments granted and consumer assistance programs available to eligible residents.  Please also see additional details under the LCBA Providers/Projects tab of this website.  

 

2020

 

• Lancaster County Economic Development Grant - $30,000

 

• Department Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Telecommunication Planning Grant funded by the Federal Government's Community Development Block Grant - $40,000

 

• Virginia Broadband CARES Act Grant for Fixed Wireless Project - $289,185. LCBA has contracted with Broadband Telecom Services (BTS) to provide the broadband internet access services for this project (see here for more information)

 

• Virginia Broadband CARES Act, SMART Pole Project - $182,144. LCBA has contracted with BTS to provide the broadband internet access services for this project (see here for more information)

 

TOTAL  - $ 541,329

 

2021

 

• Virginia Telecommunication Initiative grant - $5,187,674.00 awarded to Atlantic Broadband and its four county partners to serve customers in Lancaster County and surrounding Caroline, Mathews, and Middlesex counties (see here for more information)

 

• Federal Communication Commission, Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, Auction 904, winning bidders will receive funding over 10 years to serve portions of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which will include Lancaster County – the recipients and total funding received for Virginia are: All Points Northern Neck, LLC,  $11,878,740.80

 

• State Corporation Commission (SCC) Order Approving Broadband Pilot Projects of Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion Energy Virginia”) with private partners, including All Points Northern Neck, LLC, which will serve Lancaster County.  Funding is pursuant to Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act, Broadband Statute §56-585.1:9, (see Case No. PUR-2020-00197, March 25, 2021). The Northern Neck Pilot Project is approved for six years.  The requested cost recovery for the Northern Neck Pilot Project is $21,000,000.  The SCC will act on the cost recovery portion of the Northern Neck Pilot Project in 2022.

                                                                                                       

2022

 

• Virginia Telecommunication Initiative grant - $3,190,500 awarded to All Points Northern Neck, LLC and the Northern Neck Planning District Commission, a portion of which will be used to serve customers in Lancaster County (see here for more information)

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Line Extension Customer Assistance Program (LECAP)

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The Line Extension Customer Assistance Program is designed to support the extension of existing broadband networks to low-to- moderate income residents. For a subset of Virginians, broadband connections are not attainable because their home exceeds an internet service provider’s standard connection drop length from a roadway or easement containing telecommunications infrastructure. The cost incurred by home owners to extend broadband infrastructure to these locations, referred to as special construction costs, range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the distance and cost to connect the location.  Individuals seeking assistance through LECAP should apply through the portal below: https://dmz1.dhcd.virginia.gov/C4P/LECAP/Create_HA

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Affordable Connectivity Program

 

Program ends February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM. 

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The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

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The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

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The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. https://www.fcc.gov/acp

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If you need to talk to someone about your eligibility or application status, call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.

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