Broadband - Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission

The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) has partnered with Firefly Fiber Broadband (Firefly) to provide access to gigabit high speed internet broadband service for over 44,000 homes and businesses throughout central Virginia. Funding for this work supports the Firefly – RISE Project, which provides universal broadband in 13 counties across five regional planning district regions, to include Albemarle, Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson and Powhatan.

Overview

TJPDC obtained funding from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to support Firefly’s “super regional” broadband project throughout 13 counties in Central Virginia. TJPDC, in partnership with Firefly, has obtained two Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grants from DHCD for a combined total of $97 million in funding.

The project service area builds off a Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) fiber network buildout, with construction supported by federal, state and local funding. The project includes contributions from the 13 county partners as well as utility providers Firefly Fiber Broadband, Dominion Energy, and Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. Appalachian Power is also supporting this project by providing infrastructure for Firefly’s fiber construction in some areas of the project.

The project is supported with matching funds of $255.2 million from the utility partners and counties. With a recent increase in funding, the project now totals $352.2 million. The overall project, supported by both VATI grants, is scheduled for completion by December 31, 2026. When completed, nearly 5,000 miles of fiber construction will provide high speed internet access to over 44,000 homes and businesses throughout the greater Central Virginia area.

Project Map

Source: Firefly

As the VATI grant administrator, TJPDC serves as a consistent link between the project, the counties, and the State, while managing the financial and reporting aspects of the project.