About 300 homes and businesses in the Midway substation area made a portion of the project eligible for the VATI grant, but all approximately 670 homes and businesses that are served by the substation will be eligible for the broadband service.

At Thursday’s launch event, state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, said broadband is the next big thing for rural electric co-ops.

“This is a way that you make sure your consumers, your members are part of the 21st-century economy,” he said. “Broadband is as important now as electricity was in the 1930s.”

He said the state hasn’t done enough to support rural broadband access. The state budget currently includes $19 million for the upcoming VATI grant program.

“$19 million is a good down payment, but we have to do more work and we have to do more on a steady basis over the next several years so we can build out throughout rural Virginia,” Deeds said. “Nobody should be left without fiber.”

Del. Matt Fariss, R-Campbell, said he was glad to have Deeds with him in Richmond fighting for such things, because some colleagues don’t appreciate rural issues.