“This is an exciting day for Bedford County and rural Virginia,” Blido said. “We’re thrilled to get this funding that will help us build out broadband in Bedford County.”

Blido said the grant will help build 10 new towers across the county.

Bedford County Administrator Robert Hiss said the funding is a great blessing for the community and he is thankful the state is willing to invest in the expansion of broadband for citizens, businesses and the children who want to succeed in their educational endeavors.

He said the funds matched by the board of supervisors come from the fiscal year 2020 capital improvement plan.

“That’s one of the components that makes our project successful. We have studied what is needed to make it work in Bedford County, we’re so far down the line,” he said.

Hiss said the goal is to accomplish the project by the end of the year.

Mike Davidson, economic development director for Campbell County, said he looks forward to completing the administrative work and getting the project started with partner SCS Broadband.