Campbell County board extends broadband deadline to Sept. 2025 and asks staff to press state for BEAD support

The Campbell County broadband authority voted Tuesday to extend the countywide broadband project deadline to September 2025 and directed staff to encourage the state to release BEAD/state grant funds to support coverage in a portion of the county if the incumbent provider underperforms.

The motion to extend the project passed on a voice vote after Shentel (regional contractor) and other providers described construction progress and remaining tasks. Shentel said the county contract covers 3,509 locations and roughly 320 miles of fiber, and that the total project budget is $19,500,000, of which about $12,100,000 has already been spent.

The extension request came amid delays tied to make‑ready work, permitting backlogs and the effects of recent hurricanes. Brian, a Shentel representative, told the board the design and permitting work is largely complete and that about 742 locations are currently in construction; he said the firm expects to reach roughly 60% of locations passed by the end of the year but that state closeout paperwork is part of the reason a longer timetable is being considered. "Total, $19,500,000 project," Brian said in the presentation.

The board also discussed federal and state funding streams. A provider representative referenced the NTIA/BEAD rollout and said, "Virginia got $1,480,000,000," placing local BEAD‑eligible areas in the context of the state's mapping decisions. The transcript includes an estimate that Campbell County may have roughly 738 BEAD‑fundable locations that currently lack 100/20 Mbps service.

Several board members and residents expressed frustration with ongoing phone and lower‑quality incumbent services in parts of the county. One board member said residents still report problems with voice service after the incumbent's transition: "I still have people calling because of phone service," (resident/board member, speaking during project discussion). Provider representatives responded that construction and remediation continue and that crews were being redeployed where needed.

Separately, the board approved a motion directing staff to ask the state to consider releasing a state grant to support an alternate provider (described in the meeting as a 'body' or overbuild grant) for areas served by Firefly if the incumbent does not meet reasonable performance. The motion carried on a voice vote.

What the board approved and what’s next - The board approved a formal extension of the project deadline to Sept. 2025 and will continue monthly oversight; the county staff said they will re‑assess progress in December and again in November if warranted. - The board directed staff to lobby the state to release additional state grant funds for competing build options in certain areas; staff will report back in November and December as timelines and state decisions evolve.

Funding and scope details discussed - Shentel reported the contract includes 3,509 locations and ~320 miles of fiber; Shentel reported $12.1 million has been spent so far. - Funding was described roughly as 50% provider (Chantel/Shentel), 33% state, and 17% county in the presenter’s slide. - The state has created a $30,000,000 targeted make‑ready fund for qualified recipients; Shentel said the funds are for reimbursement of higher‑than‑expected make‑ready costs and outside‑the‑box solutions.

The board did not rescind the county's overall commitment to expanding fiber. Staff and providers were asked to produce updated permit counts, lists of remaining passings and a timeline for the next milestones at the county's November meeting. The board also discussed keeping ARPA funds as a backup for other county needs if state grant decisions and provider performance make alternate uses more appropriate.