“’What does this day mean for our citizens? It means by 2024, 97% of Powhatan County will be served by high speed internet and work will begin within three months,’ she said.

Powhatan, along with many other localities involved in this project is celebrating the ‘closing of the digital divide’ with efforts like this, Spanberger said. This will have a tremendous impact and “pay tremendous dividends in terms of job opportunities, innovation, economic growth.’

‘Certainly the lack of broadband connectivity hurts the abilities of students to complete their homework, business to recruit and hire new employees, and farmers to take advantage of the latest high-tech precision ag equipment,’ Spanberger said.”