County Broadband Efforts

Here are recent county government efforts to facilitate the expansion of broadband internet and telecommunications coverage:
  • In December 2021, the governor of Virginia announced that Clarke County is one of eight counties in the Northern Shenandoah Valley that will share a $95,303,000 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grant for much-needed rural broadband infrastructure. After the Commonwealth announced funding in late 2021, all parties involved signed a project agreement. Fiber construction is expected to begin in spring 2023 and conclude in July 2025.
  • Feb. 19, 2019: Clarke County zoning regulations changed to allow antenna support structures up to 100-feet tall to facilitate residents' access to wireless broadband services.
  • June 20, 2018: County convened a roundtable meeting with broadband industry representatives to explore ways Clarke could assist the private sector to expand broadband availability.
  • June 29, 2017: County issued a Request for Information (RFI) to telecommunications providers and infrastructure developers to gauge the industry’s level of interest in expanding broadband and telecommunications as well as ways that the county can assist with this effort.
  • June 20, 2017: Changes to the county’s zoning regulations for communication towers (“wireless communication facilities”) were updated and modernized to help encourage expansion of telecommunications infrastructure. (​Click here to download)
  • Feb. 21, 2017: Board of Supervisors formed the “Broadband Implementation Committee” consisting of two Board members and two Planning Commissioners. The purpose of the committee is to develop projects and recommendations to help expand broadband internet availability. The committee began meeting in May 2017.
  • Dec. 20, 2016: Board of Supervisors accepted the “Telecommunications Infrastructure and Broadband Study 2020” prepared by the Atlantic Group to be used as a guidance document to improve broadband and telecommunications coverage for residents and businesses. (Click here to download)