How Rappahannock's universal broadband plan – powered by federal subsidies – became irresistible

As Rappahannock County approaches a decision point on participating in an ambitious eight-county high-speed broadband plan, advocates might pause to salute two events that make the milestone project possible: the outbreak of Covid-19 in March 2020 and the resulting passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021. The virus shone a spotlight on the digital divide that leaves many Americans without fast and reliable internet service. More importantly, it led to the sprawling American Rescue Plan Act, which pumped money into pandemic-stricken communities and localities needing an economic jump-start after months in lockdown. Without Covid, the robust subsidies that make the broadband plan hard to resist would never have materialized. And policymakers and industry experts alike say that without generous subsidies, Rappahannock — with 27 residents per square mile and many hills and hollows — could never attract private internet providers to install the infrastructure necessary for county-wide, high-speed service at affordable rates. The complex broadband venture isn’t a service procurement but a public-private economic development program presented to Rappahannock and seven other counties as a package. Responsibilities and roles involve a mosaic of federal and state agencies, private interests and utilities.