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Franklin County broadband projects near finish line as providers prepare customer turn‑ups
Summary
Shentel, Appalachian Power and River Street told Franklin County supervisors that county VADI and BEAD projects have connected thousands of previously unserved locations and are transitioning into testing and customer activation, with most serviceable areas expected online in 2026.
Shentel and its utility and middle‑mile partners told Franklin County supervisors on Dec. 16 that major broadband buildout work funded under VADI and BEAD grants is largely complete and that marketing and customer cutovers will begin as fibers and equipment pass final testing.
"We are at the finish line of this project," Jesse Wilmer of Shentel said, describing more than 530 miles of new plant and roughly 3,200 previously underserved locations now in service, with another group of locations awaiting final certifications. She said two small holdouts — a Blue Ridge Parkway crossing and a railroad crossing with a 2026 crossing window — are delaying full completion of a…
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