Broadband Project

The WPPDC West Universal Broadband Project is a partnership between the West Piedmont Planning District Commission, RiverStreet Networks, Appalachian Power, Henry County, Franklin County, and Patrick County. The project goal is to provide reliable high-speed internet access to all citizens of Henry County who don't currently have internet access.

A grant provided through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative supplemented RiverStreet’s construction costs to expand broadband to parts of the county without internet access. In turn, RiverStreet will serve as the primary contractor and will perform, supervise, and manage the construction and installation of a fiber-to-the-home network to consist of up to 428.74 miles of fiber optic cable in Henry County.

Construction is slated to begin in March of 2024 and some potential customers can expect service within the year. The project had previously been delayed until the State Corporation Commission could approve the use of Appalachian Power’s infrastructure to hang the fiber optic lines.

Once the initial buildout to communities with no internet access has been completed, the project's second phase will begin. This phase will include providing broadband access to communities who currently only have access to lower-speed internet.

More Information

• You can find out more about the project and its progress on the West Piedmont Planning District Commission's project webpage.