Vermont Announces $16 Million in Broadband Construction Grants

Governor Phil Scott (R-VT) and Rep Peter Welch (D-VT) joined the Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) and community leaders to announce over $16 million in broadband construction grants that will bring fiber broadband speeds to residents of Bolton and several towns in the Northeast Kingdom (VT). The first grant approved by the VCBB was awarded to the Communications Union District serving the NEK. The Board reviewed and unanimously voted to approve NEK Broadband's construction grant request of $15,899,089, making it the first Communications Union District (CUD) in Vermont awarded through this program. The funding will allow NEK Broadband to construct 215 miles of network, connecting 1,479 households along the way. The second grant was award to Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT) to complete its fiber-to-the-home project for the remaining customers in the area it serves in the town of Bolton. The project will build to the remaining 500 locations still on copper, of which 271 are currently underserved. The VCBB unanimously approved a grant to WCVT for $421,000. The town of Bolton is contributing $200,000, with WCVT covering the remaining $1,297,000 of the project. The two projects funded must be completed within the next twenty-four months. VCBB expects to consider more applications during the month of June. The Governor and the Vermont General Assembly have appropriated $245 million in broadband funding from the American Rescue Plan.