(Bedford, VA)—Working collaboratively with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development's (DHCD) Office of Broadband, Bedford County will soon begin the process of selecting a successor internet service provider (ISP) to complete the remaining portions of the County's 2022 Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) broadband project.

Following extensive discussions among Bedford County, DHCD's Office of Broadband, the West Piedmont Planning District Commission, and RiverStreet Networks, the County's partnership with RiverStreet Networks on the 2022 VATI project has concluded. With the full support and authorization of DHCD's Office of Broadband, Bedford County will issue a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a qualified provider capable of completing construction and bringing reliable, high-speed fiber internet service to approximately 1,000 remaining homes and businesses.

The remaining work is concentrated primarily in the New London and Blackwater Road areas of eastern Bedford County and the Huddleston area in southern Bedford County.

“This is a positive step forward for Bedford County and, most importantly, for the families and businesses that have patiently awaited broadband service,” said Supervisor Edgar Tuck, District 2. “Our objective has always been simple: complete this project as quickly as possible and ensure that every resident receives the reliable broadband service they were promised. We greatly appreciate DHCD's partnership and its continued commitment to helping us accomplish that goal.”

The County issued the RFP on Monday morning. Once proposals are received, they will be evaluated based upon qualifications, demonstrated construction experience, financial capacity, project schedule, and the ability to complete the remaining work efficiently while meeting all performance standards. 

Bedford County has established one of Virginia's strongest records of broadband deployment through successful partnerships with multiple ISPs. Over the past three years, the County has successfully completed five separate VATI broadband expansion projects in partnership with providers including Zitel, Verizon, and Shentel. Collectively, these projects have extended high-speed broadband service to more than 15,000 addresses.

Learn more about the Bedford County Broadband Initiative here.