Northern Neck broadband project nears completion after multi‑partner buildout

The Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors heard a detailed update on a regional broadband build Thursday showing the multi‑partner project is largely built and moving toward service activation in remaining pockets.

The presentation, led by regional project partners, described roughly 1,400–1,600 miles of new fiber laid across the Northern Neck, a Dominion Energy “middle‑mile” backbone of about 85 miles completed in April 2024, and about 1,400 customer locations in Westmoreland County that can be connected. Presenters said roughly 20% of those Westmoreland locations have already signed up for service.

Why it matters: County officials said the investment — described by presenters as about $120 million across partners and funding sources — is intended to deliver fiber‑to‑the‑home speeds to areas that private providers previously considered uneconomical to serve. Broadband access is cited as critical for telework, telemedicine, education and economic development.

Project partners and funding

Speaker…