The Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) has announced $19 million in grants in FY 2020 available to local governments (includes towns, cities, counties, economic and industrial development authorities, broadband or wireless authorities, planning district commissions, etc.) to extend broadband service to currently unserved areas. To be eligible the local government must include a private-sector provider as a co-applicant.
Prior to opening the grant on round on June 24, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will host a “VATI How-To-Apply” webinar on June 20 at 10 am. Click here to register.
DHCD is also soliciting comments on its FY 2020 VATI draft program guidelines and criteria. VACo encourages its members to review these draft guidelines and submit recommendations to improve how the grant program is implemented. Comments and suggestions should be submitted to vati@dhcd.virginia.gov by June 10. There will also be a listening session on May 28 in Richmond (VHDA Housing Center in Glen Allen) to gather feedback and input from units of local government and citizens. To register for the input session, click here.
VACo Contact: Joe Lerch, AICP