Broadband Project Moving Forward

Virginia Cooperative Moving Forward to Bring High-Speed Internet to Its Members

BARC Electric Cooperative (BARC) is moving forward with a $66 million fiber-to-the-home project that will make high speed Internet available to both BARC and non-BARC members over the next 7-8 years.

Millboro, VA – BARC is pleased to announce that its plan to build a Fiber-to-the-Home high speed Internet network is moving ahead. Last week, BARC’s board of directors approved loan documents, and approval assurances from BARC’s lender have strengthened BARC’s resolve to move forward with this important project.

The first phase of BARC’s system-wide project encompasses over 400 miles of fiber serving over 4,100 homes and business. “We are very excited that that we are moving forward with the design and construction of Phase 1 of the network,” said BARC CEO Mike Keyser. “I want to thank our CrowdFiber backers for their patience during the development phase.”

BARC was created in 1938 to bring electricity to rural Virginia, and the similarities are striking between rural electrification and high speed Internet service. “Electric cooperatives across the country are poised to lead the way in rural broadband deployment,” continued Keyser. “We are proud to be leading the way in Virginia. As a not-for-profit, mission-based organization, we are solely focused on serving our customers with broadband just as we did with electricity 75 years ago.”

Construction on the first phase of the project is expected to begin in the next 9 months, with the Cooperative installing over 400 miles of fiber-optic cable that will serve the Cooperative’s own electric system communication needs and make direct fiber access available to the more than 4,100 homes and businesses in the first phase of the project.

Mr. Keyser added more good news: “We have expanded eligibility for free fiber service drops to the first 1,850 customers who pre-register on our CrowdFiber website and who ultimately take service as a subscriber. After we reach 1,850 subscribers, subsequent customers will have to pay a connection charge.”

As vendors are selected and agreements reached, BARC will begin contacting its pre-registered customers in the Phase 1 eligible area with details on packages and pricing. For complete information about the details of the project, visit the project website: http://barc.crowdfiber.com.

About BARC

BARC Electric Cooperative serves more than 13,000 members in Bath, Allegheny, Rockbridge, Highland, and Augusta counties. BARC is organized as a not-for-profit electric cooperative and has been in continuous operation since its inception in 1938.

For more information, call 1.800.846.2272 or go online at www.barcelectric.com.